A woman who is the first UK deputy district judge to wear a hijab said she hoped to be a “trailblazer”.
Raffia Arshad, a member of St Mary’s Chambers in Nottingham, received her letter of appointment as judge for the Midlands circuit last week.
“I don’t just see it as a personal achievement, it is bigger than that,” the 40-year-old said.
The joint heads of St Mary’s Chambers said she had “led the way for Muslim women to succeed in the law”.
Judge Arshad, from Burton-upon-Trent, said: “I almost feel a little bit detached from it being me. It has become more about making sure I am inspiring others, no matter what background they’re from.
“It’s taken a while to get here but I’m so pleased. It’s not just a personal achievement. It’s a huge achievement for anyone from a diverse background.”
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