- As of December 2021, women constituted 38.8 per cent of the Bar compared to an estimate of 50.2 per cent of the UK working age population. The proportion of female QCs has increased year on year, from 16.8 per cent to 17.9 per cent.
- Women barristers still earn 34% less than their male colleagues, according to new analysis by the Bar Council. In 2021 men's average gross fee earnings across all self-employed practice areas decreased by 5%, while women's increased by 6%.
WOMEN IN HISTORY:
Helena Normanton: First woman to join an inn, practice at the bar, appear in the High Court, Old Bailey and 1/2 first women KCs.
"I conceived the ambition of becoming a barrister at the age of twelve during a visit to a lawyer with my mother"
- 24th December 1919 joined Middle Temple, first woman to make use of Sex Disqualification Removal Act 1919.
- Writing true crime books or magazine articles to supplement her income.
- Rewarded a blue plaque for her efforts to being the first in many in her legal career.
Elizabeth Lane: First female judge in the High Court
"Once I had become an established practitioner I think that I was treated in the same way as any other member of the Bar"
- Practised in the Midland circuit, she was interested in civil work.
- KC in 1950 (third female to do so), first recorder of Derby 1961, first appointed County Court judge 1962, and judge in the High Court in 1965.
- First female bencher of any Inn.
- She became interested in the legal career after helping her husband prepare for the Bar Exams. Launched her career in November 1938 at the Inner Temple where she and her husband both studied law. Called to the bar in 1940.
- Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Baroness Hale of Richmond: Appointment as President of Supreme Court
"don't let the bastards grind you down"
- President of Supreme Court September 2017
- October 2009 first woman Justice of The Supreme Court
- January 2004 first woman Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
- 1994 High court judge (first with a career as an academic and public servant rather than practising barrister)
- First woman Law Lord
- 1984 first woman appointed to the Law Commission, promotes reform of the law
- Specialised in family and social welfare law = Children Act 1989, Family Law Act 1996, and Mental Capacity Act 2005
ETHNIC WOMEN:
Alexandra Wilson: Author and campaigner
"especially given so many people like me seem to experience the same thing"
- Barrister specialising in family law at 4PB
- Studied at University of Oxford and awarded two prestigious scholarships, research the impact of police shootings in the US on young people's attitudes to the police
- 'In Black and White: A Young Barrister's Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System'
- Investigation launched into how she was repeatedly mistaken for a defendant.
Dame Paramjit Kaur 'Bobbie' Cheema: First Asian woman to serve as High Court Judge
"Raising the Bar: handling of vulnerable witnesses, victims and defendants in court"
- Called to the Bar in 1989 by Gray's Inn.
- 2006 first Asian woman to be appointed a Junior Treasury Counsel.
- 22nd October 2015 appointment as High Court Judge was announced.
- 2013 appointed Queen Counsels.
Sultana Tafadar: First hijab-wearing criminal barrister to become Queen Counsel
"I see my clients coming from diverse backgrounds who are also suffering similar discrimination"
- Work in human rights, counter-terrorism, international law and national security.
- Raise awareness of the plight of women who are discriminated against for wearing the hijab
- Courtroom is the ultimate arena to effect principles of fairness, justice and equality.
- Right to fair trial, regardless of what they are accused of. Ensure the system is fair, and the process is fair.
- Women who face intersectional discrimination, from a minority background, religious faith and as a woman. Patriarchical structures dictating women, it is an individual choice.
AGE AT THE BAR:
Gabrielle Turnquest: Youngest person to be called to the bar
“I am honored to be the youngest person to pass the Bar exams but, really, I was not aware at the time what the average age was. I didn't fully realise the impact of it”
- Youngest person (first female) to be called to the bar. The average age for passing BPTC course is 27 years old, she is a decade above average.
- She had begun her undergraduate at the age of 14. 16 years old started postgraduate study at the University of Law in London.
- Her sister took the UK Bar exam and passed at the age of 22.
DISABILITY AT THE BAR:
Jessikah Inabah: The glass ceiling has been smashed, UK’s first black and blind barrister
‘I’m not the most common gender or colour, and I have a disability, but by pushing through I’m easing the burden on the next person like me.’
- To study for her law degree and further barrister qualifications she used Braille to study and retain information.
- Combatted the triple glazed class ceiling: female, black and disabled.
- In court Jess uses a tiny electronic machine with a Braille keyboard which has one key for each dot and a small screen where symbols pop up. It means she can keep her ears free to listen and can read and edit easily just using her hands.
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