Celebratory event marks 75 years of women King’s Counsel in England and Wales

UK Law Society Gazette

More than 350 women KCs and judges came together in the Great Hall of the Royal Courts of Justice to mark 75 years since women first became King’s Counsel.

The celebratory event was organised by Mrs Justice McGowan, who took silk in 2001 and is number 120 on the list; Mrs Justice Theis; who took silk in 2003 (number 143); and Mrs Justice Morgan, who became a KC in 2011 (number 245).

Lady chief justice Baroness Carr, who took silk in 2003 and is number 147 in the list of women silks, addressed the gathered KCs and other attendees.

She said: ‘Women are generally well represented in the legal professions although we still see fewer women in the top positions. Progress has been made but the path is much harder for some and we must…celebrate success. You are all magnificent and an extraordinary inspiration to the profession and to young aspiring lawyers everywhere.

‘As a member of the Judicial Diversity Forum, I work with the lord chancellor, and leaders of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Legal Services Board, CILEx, Law Society and Bar Council in coordinating efforts to ensure the judiciary is an inclusive and welcoming place to work for judges, or prospective judges – the pipeline of great talent is so important to this work and must be recognised tonight.’

Read the full article at  https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/75-years-of-women-silks-in-england-and-wales/5121031.article?utm_source=gazette_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SRA%3a+new+risks+could+mean+higher+levies+%7c+PO+lawyers+still+%e2%80%98defending+indefensible%27+%7c+Rule+of+Law+and+democracy_10%2f02%2f2024