Former Nigerian solicitor Margaret Obi has been appointed as a Judge of the High Court of England and Wales.
She becomes one of only a few former solicitors serving in the UK judiciary.
A former Nigerian solicitor, Margaret Obi, has been appointed as a Judge of the High Court of England and Wales, a significant milestone in her accomplished legal career.
Her appointment, which took effect on October 3, 2025, has been reported by leading British media outlets, including Global Legal Post. Justice Obi is now among only eight serving High Court judges in England and Wales who previously worked as solicitors an uncommon distinction within the UK judiciary.
She has been assigned to the King’s Bench Division, where she is expected to apply over 27 years of legal experience and seven years of judicial service to her new role.
Reacting to the development, Oba Nsugbe (KC), Head of Pump Court Chambers in the United Kingdom, commended her character and heritage, noting that she has always remained humble and deeply connected to her Nigerian roots despite her accomplishments.
Before her elevation, Justice Obi held several key positions, including Deputy High Court Judge, Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge, and Chair of the Competition Appeal Tribunal. In 2023, she also became the Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory, further enhancing her judicial portfolio.
Her appointment has been celebrated in legal communities across the United Kingdom and Nigeria, viewed as another example of the global recognition and influence of Nigerian professionals.
