Dame Sue Carr will replace Lord Ian Burnett of Maldon following his official retirement on 30 September
UK Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett of Maldon has announced his retirement from the role effective 30 September.
In a historic move described by Law Society President Lubna Shuja as a “great step forward for diversity in the senior judiciary”, Burnett will be succeeded by Dame Sue Carr, the first woman to assume the mantle.
Burnett had held the post for six years. In a statement published by the Law Society Gazette, he described it as a position that was “at times exhausting but was at times exhilarating…and never dull”.
At a farewell event held at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, Burnett was recognised by Shuja, master of the rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, attorney general Victoria Prentis and Bar vice chair Sam Townend KC. In a speech, Vos highlighted Burnett’s “exemplary” relationship with staff members – and his struggles with technology.
“[Burnett] is admired, respected, perhaps loved would be a better word”, Vos said. “He is in the class of judges that looks quizzically at his computer, often complaining that it would not allow him to do the things he wants”.
Shuja praised the outgoing lord chief justice for “running a tight ship with integrity and good grace”.
“With you at the helm the…constitutional duties that lie at the heart of our democracy…have been safeguarded. When it comes to defending the justice system, the lord chief justice has never been afraid to take a shot across the bows”, she said in her speech.
Carr will officially assume the role of lord chief justice on 1 October.
