England: Hijab-wearing woman appointed as district judge in legal first

Judge Raffia Arshad

Nottingham barrister Raffia Arshad, 40, will begin sitting part-time on the Midland Circuit later this year while continuing to practise from St. Mary’s Chambers.

Although there are three First Tier Tribunal judges who also wear a hijab, Judge Arshad will be the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to sit as a district judge.

In a statement, the joint heads of St. Mary’s Chambers, Vickie Hodges and Judy Claxton, said: “Raffia is an outstanding member of the Bar and this appointment has been very well received from her fellow members of the Bar, solicitors and the judiciary.

“Raffia has led the way for Muslim women to succeed in the law and at the Bar. She has worked tirelessly to promote equality and diversity in the profession.

“It is an appointment richly deserved and entirely on merit and all at St Mary’s are proud of her and wish her every success.”