Sultana Tafadar has become the first hijab-wearing criminal barrister to be appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC).

Sultana received her Letters Patent at a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster this week, followed by a second ceremony with her peers at the Royal Courts of  Justice.

Sultana joins an elite group of lawyers to be appointed Queen’s Counsel. There are around 2,000 QCs in Britain – less than two percent of the legal profession. 

Speaking ahead of  Monday’s ceremonies, Sultana, a human rights, international law and  criminal justice barrister, said: “I am delighted to be one of two hijab-wearing barristers ever to have been appointed Queen’s Counsel, and the first at the Criminal Bar. I am also thrilled to be joining the ranks  of trailblazing female QCs. 

"Yet on such a day, when I am rising to the pinnacle of my  profession in Britain, I note with great sadness that the same opportunities are currently  denied to hijab-wearing women in other countries, such as France.”

“Representation is important and the Bar can be a difficult terrain to navigate for those of  us from non-traditional backgrounds, but it is changing. Sixteen years ago, when I first  started at the Bar, it was a lonely place: there were few black and ethnic minority women, and no other hijab-wearing criminal barristers. 

"We are breaking through these barriers, and  I hope many other young women will now feel they can also reach the dizzying heights of the profession regardless of their race or religion.”

Ranked in the Legal 500, Sultana is highly regarded for her work in human rights, counter  terrorism and national security, and international law. Her cases straddle high profile  criminal trials that have helped set important precedents. She also advises states and  organisations on human rights and international law; and provides consultancy on equality, diversity, and inclusion to large multi-national corporations.

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Sultana was born and raised in Luton to immigrant Bangladeshi parents (Pictures: David Jensen)

Sultana is involved in the legal campaign to end the hijab ban in France. Later this year, she will be making important submissions to the United Nations on how the French government is in breach of international law in areas such as civil rights and sex discrimination, as well as violations of religious freedom, and the economic rights of women.

Born and raised in Luton to immigrant Bangladeshi parents, Sultana grew up wanting to change the world for the better. Having excelled in professions such as medicine and teaching, her hijab-wearing relatives had already proven that being a visibly Muslim woman was no barrier to success. 

Sultana said she was inspired by the American Civil Rights Movement.

She said: “Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I saw lots of injustice, and racism. I took inspiration from  the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. I knew I wanted to be an  activist lawyer.”

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Sultana with Naeem Mian QC

While her personal journey as an ethnic minority, hijab-wearing barrister has been challenging, Sultana said this has never relented in her quest to progress professionally and to make a difference.

She added: “There have been times I have been mistaken for the defendant or the interpreter. I’ve  faced a plethora of challenges owing to my gender, race and religion. 

"It’s been tough, but I  see my clients coming from diverse backgrounds who are also suffering similar  discrimination. For me, the law is a tool to remedy these things and to achieve grand ideals  like equality. It reminds me of why I joined this profession and why I need to succeed.”