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Summary
Nigerian-born legal expert Margaret Obi has made history as England’s most senior Black judge following her appointment to the High Court of England and Wales on October 3, 2025.
Margaret Obi, a Nigerian-born solicitor and legal expert, has made history as she assumes office as a Judge of the High Court of England and Wales, becoming the country’s most senior Black judge.
Her appointment took effect on Oct 3, 2025, and was confirmed by several reputable UK outlets, including Global Legal Post.
Justice Margaret joins the King’s Bench Division, making her one of only eight current High Court judges in England and Wales who previously practised as solicitors
Before her appointment, Justice Margaret served in multiple senior judicial capacities. She was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in 2018, later becoming Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory in 2023.
The same year, she also made history as the first Service Police Complaints Commissioner, overseeing accountability in the UK’s armed forces policing system.
Justice Margaret’s professional journey spans more than 27 years in law, including time as a criminal defence solicitor and partner in a practice that handled serious cases such as murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, and terrorism offences.
After leaving private practice in 2014, she worked as an independent legal consultant, advising international legal teams and contributing to major investigations, including war crimes cases.
Oba Nsugbe (KC), Head of Pump Court Chambers in the United Kingdom, congratulated her and described her as humble and deeply connected to her Nigerian heritage.
“For as long as I have known her, Ms Justice Obi has always been naturally low-key and entirely grounded; never once forgetting her Nigerian roots,” Nsugbe said.
