AYV News, October 6, 2023

Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards has graced the swearing-in ceremony of the first female Chief Justice of England and Wales, Her Lady Honourable Justice Dame Sue Carr.

Hon. Chief Justice Carr is the 98th judge to hold the position and the first woman in a history dating back almost 800 years.

Chief Justice Carr’s appointment was the first to be streamed live during the swearing-in at the Royal Courts of Justice.

At the ceremony, Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards joined hundreds of judges and leading lawyers inside the Chief Justice’s personal courtroom to witness the historic moment as she took up the role from her retiring predecessor, Lord Ian Burnett.

Commenting on the event, ChiefJustice Carr said she considered it a great privilege to assume such an enviable position.

“I do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead and I look forward to approaching the role with energy, enthusiasm, and positivity,” she said, adding that “our Judges and Magistrates are its cornerstone.”

His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards was in the company of three other Chief Justices including the  Honourable Chief Justice of India-Dhananjaya Chandrachud, Honourable Chief Justice of Canada-Richard Wagner, the Honourable Justice of the Bahamas-Ian Winder and President of German Constitutional Court-Stephan Harbarth.