Dame Sue Carr has made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed Chief Justice of England and Wales.
The role of Lord Chief Justice, which dates back to the 13th century, has never been held by a woman before. The important appointment marks an important milestone in the country’s legal system.
Currently serving as Lady Justice of Appeal, Carr will replace Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett, who is due to retire at the end of September. His formal appointment by the monarch will take effect on October 1 following the recommendation of an independent selection panel and the approval of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.
The new Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales, Dame Sue Carr, has been appointed today. This marks a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to the hold the position. https://t.co/bSJaOfSZaI
— Judicial Office (@JudiciaryUK) June 15, 2023
As Lord Chief Justice, Carr will be responsible for overseeing the judiciary in England and Wales. His new role includes liaising with the government to ensure the provision of necessary resources to the judiciary and taking charge of the welfare, training and mentoring of judges. In addition, they will play an important role in the appointment of judges and the distribution of work in the courts.
Carr’s legal career spans three decades. She qualified as a barrister in 1987 and has held various senior positions, including Chair of the Bar Standards Board Conduct Committee and Complaints Commissioner at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. In 2009, she became a criminal judge, and in 2020, she was appointed as a Lady Justice of Appeal.
This historic appointment comes at a time when the focus is on improving diversity within the judiciary. The UK government is actively working to address the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in senior legal roles. Although men still make up two-thirds of judges, efforts are being made to create a more balanced and inclusive judiciary.
Dame Sue Carr’s appointment as Chief Justice reflects progress towards a more diverse and representative legal system in England and Wales. Her success serves as an inspiration for women lawyers and reinforces the importance of equal opportunities and gender equality in the pursuit of justice.
