Over 100 guests from across the judicial world gathered at a dinner last Friday to mark the fifth anniversary of the UK Association of Women Judges (UKAWJ) at Gray’s Inn.
In addition to the President of the UK AWJ (and President-Elect of the International Association of Women Judges) Baroness Brenda Hale, guest speakers at the event included the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and the senior Law Lord, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers.
Other guests included: Lady Paton from the Appeal Court in Scotland; the Lord Chief Justice from Northern Ireland, Sir Brian Kerr; Lord Justice Leveson and Lord Justice Maurice Kay; Marianne de Riooj, Vice President of the Court of First Instance in Amsterdam and a European member of the Board of the International Association of Women Judges; and Emi Matsushita from Kobe District Court in Japan;
After a speech from Lord Phillips, Baroness Hale delivered a speech outlining the rise of women judges and the appointment of women to the House of Lords over the past 50 years, and the opposition they have faced along the way and the need for more women judges generally.
One of the key themes of the evening was Inclusivity and to encourage membership from male as well as female judges, referred to by Baroness Hale in her speech. Both Lord Judge and Lord Phillips have confirmed that they intend to become members of the Association.
Baroness Hale said:
“The liveliest debate [ on setting up the Association] was about whether we should admit men as members. Some though it would destroy the point of the organisation where the female minority could feel safe to say whatever they felt. Others wondered whether we might be a trade association covered by the laws against sex discrimination. But what won the day was that we wanted to be inclusive rather than exclusive.
“We wanted to encourage men to be interested in the same things that we are interested in, so we are delighted to welcome male members.
She added:
“We are inclusive in another way – we are, I think, the only organisation which welcomes legally qualified judges from all levels of the judiciary, from part time fee paid chairman of the social security tribunals to the full time salaried judge in the highest court in the land.”
Vice President of the UKAWJ, Mrs Justice Laura Cox, summed up the evening:
“It was an excellent evening and we are absolute delighted that Lord Phillips and Lord Judge have said they intend to become members of the Association. This is particularly important since we have always emphasised that we are an inclusive organisation, as Baroness Hale pointed out in her speech, and this steer from the top is an excellent step forward. It is also of benefit to us in our current bid to host the 2012 International Association conference, in which we are supported by the Lord Chief Justice.”
Notes to Editors
- For further information concerning the UK Association of Women Judges
- For further information concerning this press release, please contact Judicial Communications Office on 020 7073 4852
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