Dame Sue Carr has been sworn in as the first Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the most senior judge in the country. She is the 98th person to hold the office, but the first woman.
Dame Carr was sworn in at a ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, attended by many representatives from across the justice system. In a speech after the ceremony, she paid tribute to her predecessor, Lord Burnett, and said that she did not underestimate the challenges that lay ahead.
"The rule of law is a fundamental constitutional principle which underpins an open, fair and peaceful society, where citizens and businesses can prosper," she said. "Our judges and magistrates are its cornerstone."
Dame Carr has a long and distinguished career in the law. She was called to the bar in 1987 and specialised in general commercial law. She was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 2003 and was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2020.
As Lady Chief Justice, Dame Carr will be responsible for representing the views of the judges and magistrates of England and Wales to Parliament and Government. She will also be responsible for the welfare, training, and guidance of judges and magistrates, and for allocating work to the courts.
Dame Carr's appointment as the first Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales is a significant moment for the British legal system.