Shabana Mahmood becomes UK's first woman Muslim Lord Chancellor

In a historic ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice, MP Shabana Mahmood was sworn in as the first female Muslim Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom.

The event marked a milestone in British history, with Ms Mahmood swearing her oath on the Holy Quran. By law, the Lord Chancellor is secretary of State for justice and the minister of the Crown responsible for the administration of the courts and legal aid in England and Wales.

Shabana Mahmood was appointed as the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice on July 5, 2024, by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She has had a notable political career, having first been elected as the MP for Birmingham Ladywood in 2010. Mahmood has held several positions in the Labour Party, including Shadow Minister for Prisons, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice prior to her current role [[❞]](https://www.gov.uk/government/people/shabana-mahmood) [[❞]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabana_Mahmood).

In her new role, Mahmood oversees the Ministry of Justice, including responsibilities for judicial policy, departmental strategy, and international relations [[❞]](https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-justice). Upon her appointment, she emphasized her commitment to addressing the significant challenges within the justice system, leveraging her background as a lawyer [[❞]](https://www.shabanamahmood.org/2024/07/07/shabana-appointed-lord-chancellor-and-secretary-of-state-for-justice/).

Mahmood has also been involved in various initiatives, such as measures to tackle prison overcrowding, which she described as a critical issue needing urgent attention [[❞]](https://www.gov.uk/government/people/shabana-mahmood) [[❞]](https://members.parliament.uk/member/3914/career).