Dr Fayyaz Afzal OBE becomes first blind District Judge in the UK

Dr Fayyaz Afzal OBE

Dr Fayyaz Afzal OBE, who grew up in Rochdale, was sworn in as the first blind District Judge in the UK at Derby Combined Crown Court on Friday (17 February).

Dr Afzal said: “I am from a non-traditional background for judicial appointment, being the first in my family to have gone to university. I believe I will be the only blind District Judge in the country, and I believe I will be the only Muslim District Judge in the East Midlands. I’ve practised in this area since 2001, and am not aware of any others in this time.

“I hope this will inspire those with a disability and from a non-traditional background to pursue legal careers.”

Dr Afzal, 39, was born visually impaired with a good perception of light, which has declined over the last ten years.

He was the only Asian blind barrister when he was called to the Bar in 1999 and won a BBC Asia Award to recognise this.

Dr Afzal, who has five daughters, currently lives in Leicester, but considers Rochdale, where he grew up with his brothers and sister, to be home. He studied at Heybrook Primary School, Wardle High School (now Wardle Academy) and completed A-levels at Hopwood Hall College.

Until recently, he was practicing as a Barrister in Birmingham at the No 5 Chambers.

His district will cover Derby and Coventry. He specialises in crime, civil, family and immigration law; this is unusual as there is a tendency to focus on just a single area.

Younger brother, Ifraz, who is a project manager for Eon and still lives in Rochdale, said: “There are no words that can describe how proud of him I am. I’ve always been inspired and motivated by him in my own career. Having an impairment shouldn’t stop you from going getting what you want, and people should support family members who do in getting their goals.

“He always wanted to go into law; he watched LA Law during the 80s and 90s.

“His two youngest daughters both want to be judges now, and it’s great that they are so determined to achieve high, successful careers at such a young age.”

Dr Afzal has also served on committees at the Advocacy Training Council, Bar Council and Lincoln’s Inn, where he is currently leading a sub-committee on social mobility.

In addition to his daily court practice, Dr Afzal is also a senior advocacy tutor, which led to him being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2008, for both his services to judiciary and voluntary services to those with disabilities. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University, where he studied for his LLB, in 2010.

Dr Afzal was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2010 and as a Recorder for the North West in 2015. He has also been a Legal Assessor and Legally Qualified Chair for a number of health and professional regulators.