In partnership with Gray’s Inn, we were delighted recently to host the Manchester screening of a new film by Gray’s Inn, which was commissioned by the Inn to mark the centenary of the first woman being called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn.
Her name was Edith Hesling, and she went on to be the first woman to appear at the Manchester Bar, as well as the first women to preside over a County Court. The film, which is available to watch here [insert link], also celebrates the achievements and contributions of various women members of the Inn.
During the very well attended event, guests listened to a fascinating panel discussion chaired by Mary Ruck KC, which focused on how we might enable and support people from under-represented groups to become judges, and we heard from Deborah Airey, Edith Hesling’s great-grandaughter, who is a student barrister at Gray’s Inn, about Edith’s Manchester connections, and also about how the film came to be made. We are very grateful to Mrs Justice Yip, HHJ Suzanne Goddard KC, Sally Harrison KC, Andrew Thomas KC, and Olivia Choudhary, for agreeing to take part the panel discussion, and to Mary Ruck KC for chairing the discussion.
The short film is now available on YouTube.