Woman to become country’s top judge
THE Supreme Court is to have its first woman president, Downing Street will announce today.
Baroness Hale of Richmond, 72, will become the head of the UK’s highest court, taking over from Lord Neuberger.
A longstanding ‘champion of diversity’, she has previously criticised the judiciary for self-selecting from mostly white men. Her historic appointment comes after she became Britain’s first female Law Lord in 2004.
Three other Supreme Court posts, including one woman, will be also revealed today, taking the female tally among the 12 Supreme Court justices to two.
The family law expert, who has been the court’s deputy president since June 2013, will earn £225,000 a year in her new role, according to The Times.
Baroness Hale was appointed by an independent panel made up of judges and lay members, with the decision signed off by the Prime Minister and the Queen.
Others tipped for the post had included Lady Justice Black and Lord Justice Lloyd Jones.