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Former Chancellor appointed as first female President of the Supreme Court

The Right Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond

Press release issued: 24 July 2017

The University’s former Chancellor, the Right Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond, has been appointed as the President of the Supreme Court.

It is the first time the UK’s most senior judge will be female. “It is a great honour and a challenge to be appointed,” said Lady Hale.

Lady Hale made history in January 2004, when she became the UK’s first woman Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, before the establishment of the Supreme Court in 2009. She had previously spent five years sitting in the Court of Appeal and five years as a High Court judge. She has served as Deputy President of the Supreme Court since 2013.

She will be sworn in as its third president on 2 October succeeding Lord Neuberger.

Lady Hale stepped down as the University’s Chancellor at the end of 2016 after 13 very successful years as the ceremonial head of the University. She was succeeded by Sir Paul Nurse.

At last week’s graduation ceremonies she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her contribution to the university.

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