Dame Sue Carr likely to be known as lady chief justice

Speculation is growing that Dame Sue Carr, soon to become the most senior judge of England and Wales, will assume the title of lady chief justice.

When Carr’s appointment was announced in June 2023, the judiciary referred to her as lord chief justice, but an announcement that the swearing-in ceremony on Monday 2 October in the Royal Courts of Justice would be livestreamed referred to the title only by its initialism of LCJ. 

It said: ‘For the first time in history, the swearing in ceremony of a LCJ will be available to the public to view via a live stream making it accessible to everyone.’

A judiciary spokesperson said: ‘We’re unable to say anything about the title until the swearing-in on Monday.’

Carr succeeds Lord Burnett of Maldon, who has been lord chief justice since 2017 and retires on 30 September 2023. Carr will be the first woman to occupy the position. 

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