Shabana Mahmood, a British-Pakistani Birmingham MP, was sworn in as the United Kingdom's new Lord Chancellor on Monday at a ceremony held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has committed to "defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights."
The 43-year-old Labour Party member took to social media to share the news with the world on X, writing: "Today I was honored to be sworn in as Lord Chancellor, vowing to safeguard our independent judiciary from interference and undue pressure."
"I shall be a champion of the rule of law. After 900 years, this ancient role is more important than ever."
Mahmood, who is from Small Heath in Birmingham, became the first Muslim woman to be appointed to the position, taking her oath on the Holy Quran and stating in her address that she was "the first Lord Chancellor to speak Urdu."
She took the oath in the presence of Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, Supreme Court President Robert Reed, and High Court Chancellor Julian Flaux.
In her statement, Mahmood stated that the incoming Labour administration will continue "defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights" in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights, which was drafted during World War II.
She also acknowledged the court system's shortcomings, stating that more should be done to enable access to justice for women and girls "who are the victims of violence and abuse."
Carr told the Lord Chancellor, "There will undoubtedly be challenges and decisions to be made today and tomorrow. That is an unavoidable aspect of governance. We will collaborate with you and your ministers as you address these needs. I very much look forward to forming a solid, long-term collaboration with you as Lord Chancellor, within constitutional limitations, in the service and attainment of justice."