Blind barrister has been sworn in as a district judge.

    Photo Credit - No5 Chambers

    A blind barrister from Rochdale has been sworn in as a district judge.

    When Dr Fayyaz Afzal, aged 39, was called to the Bar in 1999, he was the only Asian blind barrister in the country, and in recognition won the BBC’s Asia Award.

    He went on to successfully practise in areas of crime, civil, family and immigration. In 2010 he was appointed as a deputy district judge, and appointed as a recorder in 2015.

    Dr Afzal adds: “I sincerely hope that my appointment to the District Bench will serve to reassure those with a disability or from non-traditional backgrounds that it is possible to succeed through determination and merit. I would hope that we will continue to see improvements to the diversity of the judiciary.”

    More from Local and National News

    Listener Club

    Get more with the Listener Club!

    • Bhangra Nights Bhangra Nights

      Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm

    • Legal Show Legal Show

      Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.

    • Alim OnAir Alim OnAir

      Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.

    • Remix Saturdays Remix Saturdays

      Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm