Above: Newly sworn Magistrate Baljit Singh Rihal with Jack Straw, UK's Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Justice. Photos by J. Rihal, Saravjit Singh Rihal and L.S. Rihal.
People
Baljit Singh Rihal:
Magistrate - Uxbridge, UK
by AILSA DIXON
Baljit Singh Rihal, a software engineer with British Airways at Heathrow, has just been sworn in as Uxbridge's newest magistrate.
"It's an honour and tremendous privilege to have been appointed a Magistrate and to serve Her Majesty's Court services," said Baljit, 34, who works as a software engineer in the Waterside IT department.
"I am a proud member of the Sikh community and hope my representation on the bench can demonstrate the diversity that the judiciary is trying to encourage."
The crime-fighting airport IT engineer will now spend his free time handing out judgments in Uxbridge Magistrates Court, where he hopes he can help make the local community a safer place.
"It is a great responsibility having the sentencing power to potentially send someone to prison," said Baljit, who has worked at Heathrow for eight years.
"But it is also a great way of helping ensure that an individual has access to a rehabilitation course, so that the public can enjoy a safe environment."
To win his new position, the Bachelor of Economics and an IT Master's, had to go through two grilling interviews, stringent background checks and finally impress the Lord Chancellor himself. After being sworn in last week, the Heston resident will now begin an intensive training course in the law, including some prison visits. The job entails sitting in court at least 26 and a half days in a year - but criminals can expect to see a lot more of Baljit.
"My aim is to sit in court as many times as possible, given work commitments. "British Airways has been understanding, giving me time off to fulfill my judicial duties - it's just a question of planning ahead and letting them know what dates I will be in court."
The computer wiz said he first thought of volunteering for the courts five years ago, but has held off until now to make sure he knew exactly what he was letting himself in for.
"I've had an interest in law since school but decided to take the IT path - this is one way of fulfilling that ambition," he said. "I also wanted to make sure that visible, turban-wearing Sikhs were represented in the court system hierarchy.
Baljit heard about a scheme run by an equalities campaign group called Operation Black Vote, which encourages ethnic minorities to consider a job in the court system.
After shadowing a Justice of the Peace in Kingston for six months, Baljit was hooked.
"I gained a tremendous insight into the work of courts and decided that this was something I would enjoy doing. It's a great way to dedicate some time to help the community."
Baljit was sworn in at a ceremony at the Inner London Crown Court in May, in an event he describes as extremely formal and grand. He had to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen in front of 100 top legal eagles.
"I took my wife and father along as guests; they were both very proud," said Baljit. "My entire family has been very encouraging throughout the process."
For his Magisterial Oath, he opted to use the Sunder Gutka - a Sikh "Prayer Book" consisting of the daily liturgy - all verses are from the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.
"The judiciary belongs to us, and it works better when we are involved. Therefore, I encourage people to apply and to make a real difference. We need to break down the barriers of people just thinking that Magistrates are only retired and white. More ethnic minorities need to apply, more people who are working need to apply ... and of different ages."
June 27, 2009
Conversation about this article
1: Roop Singh (Birmingham, England), June 27, 2009, 4:55 PM.
Congratulations, Baljit, on this wonderful achievement.
2: Harinder (Jalandhar, Punjab), June 28, 2009, 8:40 AM.
Congratulations. Hope it is "perfect justice" under you.
3: Harpreet Singh (India), June 28, 2009, 1:01 PM.
Now this is what you call Sikh Pride and happiness ... to see a proud Sikh occupying some place of high esteem.
4: Balbir Singh Sodhi (Osterley, London Borough of Hounslow, U.K.), June 28, 2009, 6:47 PM.
Congratulations, Baljit Singh ji, on your appointment to the Uxbridge Magistrates' Bench. It may perhaps be of some interest for you to know that I was the first turban-wearing Sikh appointed to the Uxbridge Bench back in May 1987. I thoroughly enjoyed serving my full term, doing as many sittings as I possibly could, until my transfer to the supplemental list in August, 2005. I believe that Josie Evans, my batch-mate, is still the Chairman of the Bench. I am glad that you joined the Bench at an early age so you have a number of years to serve your full term. I wish you a long and dedicated service in this noble cause.
5: Swrup Singh Chana (London, U.K.), June 29, 2009, 5:09 PM.
I am proud to say Baljit is a member of our family. I am so proud of his achievement. Many congratulations.
6: Jasminder Singh Kalsey (London, U.K.), June 29, 2009, 6:31 PM.
Well done, Baljit, and all the best with your judicial duties.
7: Jessie Singh Parmar (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada), June 30, 2009, 12:49 AM.
Brother Baljit ji: the Sikh nation is proud of you. You are a gem. Keep it up. Well done!
8: Harminder Singh Dhillon (London, England), June 30, 2009, 5:19 AM.
It's always very encouraging to see Sikh individuals achieving great things, and to have a young turbaned Sikh as a magistrate is very inspiring indeed. You are a role-model to others and hopefully lots of our youth will follow your example and push back the barriers, and fulfill their own dreams, whatever they may be. Well done!
9: Jas Singh Jassal (London, England), June 30, 2009, 6:35 AM.
Well done. Nice to see hard work getting its just rewards.
10: Suhila Malik (England), June 30, 2009, 10:39 AM.
We are proud to see a young Sikh and an Asian in the Magistrate courts. You are an inspiration for the young generation. We hope there are some more Sikhs and other young Asian people out there to follow your footsteps. It is really a pleasure knowing and working with you. You are a gem for our company too. All the best and good luck for the coming years.
11: Amarie Kaur Johal (London, England), June 30, 2009, 10:41 AM.
Congratulations, Baljit. Well done, keep up the good work! Yes, the Sikh nation is very proud of you and we hope to see more people like you taking part and achieving what you have achieved today!
12: Kenn Omoruan (Ontario, Canada), June 30, 2009, 3:03 PM.
Congratulations, Baljit. Its a great pride to see a former work colleague take on a great responsibilty such as this. I have so much faith in your abilities to perform your role without fear, favour or malice. You are already a role model for those coming after you.
13: Jagdeep Singh (London, U.K.), July 02, 2009, 6:05 AM.
Hi Baljit: Congratulations. You know it makes me feel very proud to see any Sikh in a position of prominence. All Sikhs send a message merely by their presence. Waheguru will give you all the strength to execute your job with diligence. Keep it up!
14: Mandeep Babra (London, England), July 02, 2009, 10:53 AM.
Well done, Baljit. This is a huge step forward and you make the Sikh community in the local areas very proud of your achievement. Others should look at this as a major achievement and should be enthusiastic about their own careers in this profession. Keep it up.
15: Jay & Sapna Luthra (United Kingdom), July 03, 2009, 12:30 PM.
Well done, Baljit. We know you will do well in your new role and do us all proud.
16: Gulzar Junaid (Bombay, India), July 04, 2009, 4:45 PM.
May you do your community proud and may you do a wonderful job of doing justice. Keep well.
17: Tarnjeet (Birmingham, England), July 05, 2009, 4:32 PM.
Great news! This young man is leading by example. I'm proud to be a member of his family.
18: Sarah Rai (Langley, U.K.), July 10, 2009, 6:05 PM.
Very many congratulations on your accomplishment. You have worked hard to earn this post, may you go on to serve the community in a positive light for many years to come.
19: Georgie Kalsey (Wembley, U.K. ), July 14, 2009, 1:18 PM.
Congraqtulations, Baljit! We are so proud of you. Well done! Onwards and upwards ...
20: Manpreet (Houston, Texas, U.S.A.), September 15, 2009, 12:02 PM.
From across the pond, great news! As an attorney in the States, I'm looking forward to our future here based on your success there.
21: Sukhjinder Singh Mann (Moscow, Russia), November 23, 2009, 12:42 AM.
Baljit: You should be very proud of your achievement. It's a great day for not only the Sikh community (of course, we are very proud of you) but also for Asian Britain. Well done; you are a pioneer.
22: Shehzad Shabbir (Canada), February 05, 2010, 10:58 PM.
Baljit, congratulations. Proud to be a former colleague of yours. Well done.
23: Gursewak (United Kingdom), February 10, 2010, 11:20 AM.
Well done, veer ji. May God bless all our Sikhs like you for higher achievement.