MP Shabana Mahmood was sworn in as the first female Muslim Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom in a historic event at the Royal Courts of Justice. At this moment in British history, Ms. Mahmood took her oath on the Holy Quran, marking a momentous occasion. By statute, the Lord Chancellor is the minister in charge of the management of the legal system and court administration in England and Wales, as well as the Secretary of State for Justice.
The first female Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, presided over the event and emphasized its many historic elements. “Today marks a ‘triple first’: 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,” she said. These turning points show how our constitution has continued to change to better represent the society it serves.
During the event, Ms. Mahmood, who is well-known for her “shrewd advocacy and deep knowledge of professional ethics,” acknowledged her commitment and thanks. She thought back to how she got to her current distinguished position from working in her parents’ tiny store as a young child in Small Heath, Birmingham.
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 further mentioned that she is the first Lord Chancellor who speaks Urdu with ease.
Prominent people, such as Bar Chair Sam Townend KC and Law Society President Nick Emmerson, attended the occasion. They expressed admiration for Ms. Mahmood’s commitment to justice and looked forward to her beneficial influence on the legal system.
Ms. Mahmood promised to keep “defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights” at the event. She pledged to be a “champion for the rule of law” and stressed the significance of the court making decisions “without political pressure and undue influence.”
