Visiting Professor appointed first female president of the UK Supreme Court

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The Dickson Poon School of Law offers its warmest congratulations to Baroness Hale of Richmond, Visiting Professor at the School, on her appointment as the first female President of the UK Supreme Court.

Baroness Hale’s is a landmark appointment, which will see her lead the highest court in the UK, which acts as the final court of appeal for civil cases in the UK and criminal cases in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. On 2 October 2017, Lady Hale will be sworn in as the new President, succeeding Lord Neuberger, who has held the presidency for the last five years.

Throughout her career, Baroness Hale has been a champion for diversity in the judiciary and led the way for women in law. In 2004, she became the first woman Law Lord and five years later, was elevated to the first woman Justice of the Supreme Court in 2009. In 2013, Baroness Hale was appointed Deputy President of the Supreme Court and has led on a number of high profile cases whilst in this role, including the recent Brexit appeal by the UK government against the High Court decision to consult Parliament on the triggering of Article 50.   

Commenting on her appointment for the UK Supreme Court news release, Baroness Hale said: ‘It is a great honour and a challenge to be appointed to succeed Lord Neuberger. I look forward to building upon his pioneering achievements, including developing closer links with each part of the United Kingdom, for example by sitting outside London, and improving the ways in which we communicate our work to the public. Recent high-profile cases mean that more people than ever before have heard of the Supreme Court, and we hope that this will help to create a broader understanding of how the judiciary serves society.’

At the same as Baroness Hale is sworn-in officially as President, a second woman will join the group of 11 Justices, Lady Justice Black. Welcoming this appointment, Baroness Hale commented: ‘While I of course look forward to working alongside all my colleagues, it is a particular pleasure for me to be taking up the post at the same time as we welcome only the second ever woman to sit on the UK's top appeal court.’

Professor Gillian Douglas, Executive Dean of The Dickson Poon School of Law, said: ‘The School is delighted at Baroness Hale’s appointment, and proud of her long-standing association with King’s College London. She is an inspiration and role model for all who aspire to excel in the study and practice of law.’