On meeting Baroness Hale at the Supreme Court

Currently in the final year of my LLB at GSM London, my thoughts are increasingly turning toward what I will do after graduation. As a member of GSM’s law society, I jumped at the chance of visiting the Supreme Court and attending a private audience with Lady Hale, hoping for some clarity and career advice, as well as the chance to rub shoulders with the United Kingdom’s most senior judge.

Throughout my degree I have had many opportunities to study the judgments of Lady Hale and have grown familiar with her work and style. One of the many things that I have always respected about Lady Hale is her advocacy for social mobility within the legal profession. The education sector is rapidly changing and a degree in law from one of the traditional universities is not always possible, or indeed appropriate, for every student. Yet students from non-traditional HEIs are often judged as less capable than their Oxbridge peers. Given my desire to enter a profession that is often classified as white, middle-class and male, I was keen to explore the veracity of this perception and how one might overcome it and enjoy a successful career in law.

This is why meeting Lady Hale was such a great opportunity. She is clearly dedicated to increasing social mobility within the legal profession and improving this equality in the face of the law. She is keen for more women to become involved within the sector and was extremely encouraging with regards to women and people from non-traditional backgrounds motivating themselves to go further within the legal field.

Lady Hale also took the time to answer questions that were related to other aspects of the UK legal system. For example, I was curious to know her view on David Cameron’s recent pledge to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights. Lady Hale took the time to explain the motives behind this claim and how they were rooted in politics rather than an opposition to basic human rights principles. This gave me an interesting insight into how politics can so often influence the law, and helped me to consider the possibility of career prospects within international organisations such as the European Union or United Nations.

The main thing I took away from my visit is the fact that the world is changing and with it the legal profession. In a few years I hope to see a much more diverse legal system, one that truly reflects the United Kingdom and its international outlook. It is the job of lawyers and solicitors to represent the ‘everyman’; therefore the legal profession itself should reflect the diversity in this country. Lady Hale’s passion has rubbed off on me and I will be taking her advice to know my cases and be on top of my game to heart! In time I hope to be a lawyer with the United Nations, among a cohort of legal professionals from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Funmilayo Ojo is in the final year of her LLB at GSM London (www.gsmlondon.ac.uk).