Legal Diversity Project launched in Belfast

The Bar of Northern Ireland, with the support of the Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan, has launched the Legal Diversity Project aimed at promoting equality, inclusion and social mobility throughout the legal profession.

The inaugural event which took place at the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast on Saturday 22 October 2022 is intended to be the first in a series of opportunities for legal professionals to present and exchange ideas on how to solve existing diversity issues.

In attendance were over one hundred legal professionals drawn from the Solicitors’ and Barristers’ professions, practitioners from the public and private sectors as well as members of the Judiciary.

The launch was introduced and chaired by the Lady Chief Justice with keynote addresses from Ms. Justice Marie Baker, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland and Lady Justice Nicola Davies from the Court of Appeal in England and Wales.

A lively and engaging panel discussion was another feature of the event, with contributions from the Hon Mr Justice O’Hara, Chief Master Karen Shuman and Leigh Ann Mulcahy KC.

In her keynote address Ms. Justice Marie Baker said: “Mentoring can be a valuable tool to promote and encourage the development of women’s legal careers. It plays a particular role in addressing the so called ‘confidence gap’ where many women often do not apply for roles unless they fulfil 100 percent of the criteria.”

And during her contribution Lady Justice Nicola Davies said: “The failure to retain women and to properly support their progression through the Bar results in a limited pool of women available and willing to seek judicial appointment, particularly within the senior judiciary. It hardly needs me to say this – such a situation can result in a judiciary which does not properly reflect the diversity of the society in which we live.”

Adele O’Grady KC who convened the event with Suzanne Simpson KC and Anna Rowan BL on behalf of the Bar of Northern Ireland added: “It was fantastic to see so many legal professionals - male and female - engaged and enthused in a discussion around legal diversity. Our distinguished panel of speakers added so much to the discussion by sharing their significant insight and experience. Our attention is now turned to the development of this initiative but we would like to thank all the participants and attendees for getting this initiative off to such a successful start.”