LONDON: In a historic ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice, MP Shabana Mahmood was sworn in as the first female Muslim Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom.
The event marked a significant milestone in British history, with Ms. Mahmood taking her oath on the Holy Quran. As dictated by law, the Lord Chancellor serves as the Secretary of State for Justice and the minister responsible for the administration of the courts and legal aid in England and Wales.
Presiding over the ceremony, Dame Sue Carr, the first female Chief Justice, emphasized the multiple historic elements of the occasion.
She remarked, “Today marks a ‘triple first’: the first Lord Chancellor to swear on the Quran, the first female Lord Chancellor, and the first time a female Chief Justice has sworn in a Lord Chancellor. These milestones represent the ongoing evolution of our constitution to mirror the society it serves.”
Ms. Mahmood, known for her “shrewd advocacy and deep knowledge of professional ethics,” expressed her gratitude and commitment. Reflecting on her journey from a young girl in Small Heath, Birmingham, working in her parents’ corner shop to her current role, she said, “Being the ‘first’ is both a privilege and a burden. Getting this right can open doors for future generations, showing that even the oldest titles of the land are within reach for us all.” She also noted that she is the first Lord Chancellor who can speak Urdu.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Law Society President Nick Emmerson and Bar Chair Sam Townend KC, who praised Ms. Mahmood’s dedication to justice and anticipated her positive impact on the legal system.
Ms. Mahmood pledged to continue “defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights” as she was sworn in. She emphasized that the judiciary must make decisions “without political pressure and undue influence,” and vowed to be a “champion for the rule of law” during the ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice.
