In recent days, Shabana Mahmood, a 43-year-old lawyer and Labour Party representative from Birmingham Ladywood, has been made Lord Chancellor in a service at the Royal Courts of Justice. She was also the first Muslim woman appointed Lord Chancellor of England.
According to the British constitution
According to the British constitution, the Secretary of State for Justice is Lord Chancellor. This role performs similar duties to those of a minister, overseeing courts and legal matters throughout England and Wales.
During her first speech following the swearing-in ceremony, Shabana Mahmood said, “I am the first Lord Chancellor to speak Urdu.” Just further on from this, she went on to say that it shows that no position is beyond our reach; we can do anything. Moreover, she also spoke about going from working at her parents’ corner shop in Birmingham to where she currently stands.
Shabana Mahmood noted that being a pioneer comes with great responsibility but can also open doors for future generations.
Earlier in the day
Dame Sue CBritain’s first female Chief Justice remarked that it was a ‘triple first’ event: the Quran was used during an oath by a Lord Chancellor for the first time; there had never before been any female holders of this office; finally, it was also unprecedented for any woman holding such high rank within the judiciary system to administer another one like herself taking up these posts consecutively.
Shabana Mahmood: who is she?
According to the gov. UK internet site Shabana Mahmood was appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice on July 5, 2024. She became MP Representative (MP) for Birmingham Ladywood in July 2024. Her hails from Mirpur Azad, Kashmir, Pakistan.
She was born on September 17, 1980, in Birm mother’s. Her mother’s name is Zubaida, while her father goes by Mahmood Ahmed. They lived with their family in Taif, Saudi Arabia, from 1981 to 1986. Where he (his father) worked as a civil engineer in the desalination sector. She grew up in Birmingham and attended Small Heath School and King Edward Camp Hill School for Girls later on.
While they lived here,
Her mother started working at a corner shop the family had purchased upon returning to England. Her father became chairman of the local Labour Party branch, and Shabana Mahmood used to assist him during his campaigns for council seats when she was still young.
Shabana Mahmood read law at Lincoln College Oxford University, where she served as JCR President.
She has been associated with the Labour Party and has represented Birmingham Ladywood since 2010. Before her current position, she held various shadow junior ministerial roles and positions on the shadow cabinet under the leadership of Ed Miliband. Harriet Harman & Keir Starmer between 2010-2024.
