In a historic ceremony held at the Royal Courts of Justice, MP Shabana Mahmood was officially sworn in as the United Kingdom’s first female Muslim Lord Chancellor. This event marked a significant milestone in British history, with Ms. Mahmood taking her oath on the Holy Quran. 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 was Dame Sue Carr, the first female Chief Justice, who highlighted the multiple historic aspects 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 reflect the ongoing evolution of our constitution to mirror the society it serves.”
Ms. Mahmood, renowned for her “shrewd advocacy and deep knowledge of professional ethics,” expressed her gratitude and commitment during the ceremony. She reflected on her journey from a young girl in Small Heath, Birmingham, working in her parents’ corner shop, to her current prestigious role.
“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 stated. Additionally, she noted that she is the first Lord Chancellor fluent in Urdu.
The event saw attendance from notable figures, including Law Society President Nick Emmerson and Bar Chair Sam Townend KC, who commended Ms. Mahmood’s dedication to justice and anticipated her positive impact on the legal system.
During the ceremony, Ms. Mahmood pledged to continue “defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights.” She emphasized the importance of the judiciary making decisions “without political pressure and undue influence,” and vowed to be a “champion for the rule of law.”
