The first female president of the supreme court and the youngest lord chief justice in 50 years have been sworn in.
Brenda Hale’s appointment to the leading role at the UK’s highest court was announced by
Downing Street in July.
A longstanding champion of diversity in the judiciary, she became the first female justice of the court in October 2009 and was appointed deputy president in June 2013.
Onlookers applauded at the ceremony on Monday, which marks the start of the legal year.
The supreme court also welcomed Jonathan Mance as deputy president, as well as three new judges, including a second female justice, Jill Black.
Lady Hale, 72, who was born in Yorkshire and succeeds Lord Neuberger in the role, has had a varied career as an academic lawyer, law reformer and judge. During her time as deputy president, she ruled on cases including the article 50 appeal.
In a separate ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Sir Ian Burnett was sworn in as lord chief justice. The court of appeal judge, 59, takes over as head of the judiciary of England and Wales from Lord Thomas, who held the position from 2013 and retired on 1 October.
Burnett, who lives in Essex with his wife and children, has been involved in many high-profile cases and inquiries during his career, including acting as counsel to the inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.
His new responsibilities include representing the views of the judiciary to parliament and the government.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said: “At times of great change, the central role of the judiciary upholding the rule of law remains a constant, as do our impartiality and independence.
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