MP Shabana Mahmood was sworn in as the first female Muslim Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom in a historic event held at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Ms. Mahmood’s swearing-in on the Holy Quran was a historic moment in British history. By statute, the Lord Chancellor serves as the minister of the Crown and secretary of state for justice, overseeing the operation of the legal system in both England and Wales as well as legal aid.
The first female Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, presided over the event and emphasized its many historic components. “Today marks a ‘triple first,'” the speaker said: ‘the first female Lord Chancellor, the first Lord Chancellor to swear on the Quran, and the first time a female Chief Justice has sworn in a Lord Chancellor. These turning points show how our constitution is still changing to better reflect the society it serves.
Renowned for her astute advocacy and profound understanding of professional ethics, Ms. Mahmood shown her appreciation and dedication. She thought back to how she got to where she was now—from a young child working in her parents’ tiny store in Small Heath, Birmingham, to her current position.
Being the “first” has its benefits and drawbacks. “Getting this right can pave the way for future generations, demonstrating that even the most ancient land titles are accessible to all of us,” the speaker said. She said that, to her credit, she is the first Urdu-speaking Lord Chancellor.
Prominent people, such as Bar Chair Sam Townend KC and Law Society President Nick Emmerson, attended the event and commended Ms. Mahmood for her commitment to justice and foresaw her beneficial influence on the legal system.
At her swearing-in ceremony in London, Ms. Mahmood vowed to keep “defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights.” At the event at the Royal Courts of Justice, she also said that the judiciary must make decisions “without political pressure and undue influence” and promised to be a “champion for the rule of law”.
