Head of Chambers Oba Nsugbe KC, SAN congratulates Mrs Justice Margaret Obi on becoming the first black, female High Court judge from the solicitor’s profession in the United Kingdom

Mrs Justice Margaret Obi became the first black, female High Court judge in the United Kingdom appointed from the solicitor’s profession when, in front of the Lady Chief Justice and a packed court 4 at the RCJ, she took her judicial oath.

Surrounded by her friends and family and an impressive showing of judges from the High Court and Court of Appeal, the occasion marked a momentous milestone in the annals of British legal history.

Responding to the Lady Chief Justice’s welcome speech on behalf of the Bar, Head of Chambers Oba Nsugbe KC, described her appointment as serving not only as a testament to the perseverance and excellence of Mrs Justice Obi but also to its standing as “…a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come”. He mentioned her stellar career before becoming a full-time judge, serving as an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory; an Upper Tribunal Judge, (Immigration & Asylum Chamber), Service Police Complaints Commissioner, amongst other prestigious judicial and quasi-judicial appointments, but singled out her 15 years as a High Street Solicitor as being the most formative and impactful of periods in terms of her legal career. Mrs Justice Obi enjoyed giving voice to the voiceless, doing the right thing by the client and solving complex problems. With its varied array of challenging and absorbing work, Mr Nsugbe described Mrs Justice Obi as being ideally suited to the High Court Bench: “…it is broad enough and difficult enough to keep you feeling inspired and on your toes.” He described Mrs Justice Obi as being naturally low-key and unassuming. He said “…You wear your natural abilities lightly; you are grounded, down to earth, hard-working, fair and plain speaking, saying that she absolutely merited all of the accolades that had come and would continue to come her way”. He ended by congratulating her on this happiest of days and wished her many more short and happy days in the future.

The full text of Oba’s speech is below:

“It was an honour to be asked to respond to Lady Chief Justice Carr on behalf of the Bar of England and Wales, on Monday 13^th October, when Mrs Justice Margaret Obi was sworn in as the first black female High Court judge to be appointed from the solicitor’s profession in the United Kingdom.  What a memorable occasion it was: standing room only in a packed court 4 of the Royal Courts of Justice when, surrounded by her family and friends and numerous other judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal, Mrs Justice Obi took her judicial oath. The occasion marked a momentous milestone in the annals of British legal history. Her elevation serves not only as a testament to the perseverance and excellence of Mrs Justice Obi but also stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

I spoke about her stellar career prior to becoming a full-time judge in which she has served as an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory; an Upper Tribunal Judge, (Immigration & Asylum Chamber), and a Service Police Complaints Commissioner, amongst other prestigious judicial and quasi-judicial appointments. However, I singled out her 15 years as a High Street Solicitor as being the most formative and impactful of periods in her illustrious legal career. Above all, Mrs Justice Obi enjoyed giving voice to the voiceless, doing the right thing by the client and solving complex problems. With its varied array of challenging and absorbing work, I described Mrs Justice Obi as being ideally suited to the High Court Bench which is broad enough and difficult enough to keep her feeling inspired and challenged on a daily basis.

Her flexible parents gave her the choice of becoming a doctor, accountant, engineer or lawyer. She clearly made the right choice but as I said in court, at least she was given a choice.

For as long as I have known her, Mrs Justice Obi has always been naturally low-key and entirely grounded; never once forgetting her Nigerian roots.  She wears her natural abilities lightly; she is grounded, down to earth, hard-working, fair and plain speaking.

A lively reception was held in her honour at the Law Society of England and Wales immediately after her swearing-in. She absolutely deserves all of the accolades that have come and will continue to come her way. I wish to congratulate her on her wonderful achievement and happiest of days and wish her many more happy and short sitting days in the future.”