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UK Supreme Court appointment ‘sign of change’

Dame Ingrid Simler, Lady Justice of Appeal, has been appointed as a justice of Britain’s Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Lord Kitchin.

The Law Society of England and Wales described the appointment as “another historic moment”, after Dame Sue Carr became Lady Chief Justice last month.

King Charles made the appointment on the advice of the prime minister and lord chancellor, after the recommendations of an independent selection commission.

The commission consulted each of the Supreme Court's three jurisdictions – England, Wales and Northern Ireland – before making its recommendations.

‘Further progress’

The President of the Supreme Court, Lord Reed, said that Lady Justice Simler would bring “exceptional experience and ability” to the court after a distinguished career as a barrister and judge.

She is only the fifth woman appointed to the court since it was set up in its current form in 2009.

Welcoming the appointment, Law Society of England and Wales President Nick Emmerson said that he hoped the appointment would lead to further progress on women’s representation within the judiciary.

“Around a third of judges in our courts are women, with even fewer in the senior judiciary. This momentous appointment is a sign that times are continuing to change,” he stated.