Helena Normanton and the Opening of the Bar to Women by Judith Bourne

Helena Normanton and the Opening of the Bar to Women by Judith Bourne

In this first full-length account of Helena Normanton's life and career, Judith Bourne tells of her fight to join the Bar of England and Wales and open it up to women. The book describes how her ambition was forged as a child after seeing her mother patronised by a solicitor. It tells how the press were quick to pigeon-hole and harass her, leading to disciplinary proceedings for 'self-advertising'. Enmeshed in a world of men, Helena Normanton faced a constant struggle to establish herself against a backdrop of prejudice, misogyny and discrimination - as when solicitors, fearful of the unknown, were reluctant to instruct her, leaving her to take on poor person's cases, dock briefs and those 'deemed suitable for a woman'. But Helena Normanton was a force to be reckoned with. She was not just the first woman to be admitted to an Inn of Court, hold briefs in the High Court and Old Bailey, and (with Rose Heilbron) be made a King's Counsel, but a prolific author, leading feminist and speaker who entranced audiences at home and abroad. Along with the controversies that eternally surrounded her progress and her foibles, this is all contained in this captivating book.

'[ An ] excellent biography of Helena Normanton, brilliantly researched by Judith Bourne.. a captivating book for all aspiring barristers to read'-- Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers; 'Succeeds ... in rendering Helena Normanton as a human being, a woman with grit and aspiration, whose experiences were as often disappointing as they were celebratory ... A fine achievement!'-- Professor Mary Jane Mossman (from the Foreword)

Judith Bourne is an academic at St. Mary's University, Twickenham and Co-Director of the Centre for Law and Culture. She founded and chairs the 'First Women Lawyers in Great Britain and the Empire Symposia'. With a doctorate from King's College, London, Judith formerly practised as a barrister. Her research focuses on Feminist Perspectives on Law, Land Law and Equity and Trusts Law. Professor Mary Jane Mossman has taught at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, in Ontario since 1977 and was Director of the Institute for Feminist Legal Studies 2002-2010. She was also a faculty member at the University of New South Wales and a Visiting Professor at numerous other university law schools. Her research focuses on property law, family law, access to justice and issues of gender and the legal profession. Among her recent books is The First Women Lawyers: A Comparative Study of Gender, Law and the Legal Professions (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2006).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781909976320
ISBN 10	1909976326
Title	Helena Normanton and the Opening of the Bar to Women
Author	Judith Bourne
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Waterside Press
Year published	2016-09-28
Number of pages	264
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.