Christl Hughes MBE reflects on her roles working with legal organisations and law societies to improve Equality and Diversity

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Christl Hughes MBE reflects on her roles working with legal organisations and law societies to improve Equality and Diversity

Fighting discrimination has always been an important dimension for me as my Dutch Jewish grandparents successfully hid two relatives in the basement of their home in Utrecht during the Nazi occupation of the Second World War but, very sadly, many other family members died in concentration camps. From an early age, this made me acutely aware of the consequences of all kinds of discrimination and this is where my interest in equality stems from.

Equality and Diversity Work

I worked as a solicitor in private practice until 2011 and then moved across to work in the Third Sector, using my experience and expertise for voluntary organisations including chairing The Solicitors’ Charity and acting as Trustee and Secretary of the Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES).

The Solicitors’ Charity (www.thesolicitorscharity.org) has been supporting solicitors during all times of crisis since 1858 and provides welfare and other support grants. It also assists people with getting back into work and access to advice on welfare benefits and managing personal debt as well as practical and emotional support.

During the current pandemic and in its aftermath, the charity is making more funds available, widening the support provided and offering information and support to help any solicitor who has been impacted by the virus. During my time as Chair, the diversity profile of the board was widened and the application process simplified.

GIRES (gires.org.uk) is a volunteer operated membership charity, started in 1997, whose aim is to give a voice and improve the lives of trans and gender diverse people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender. The charity contributes to policy development regarding equality and human rights for its members, including in healthcare and education. It delivers training and information to public and private sector organisations including advice on supporting trans and gender diverse employees and service users.

I was secretary of the charity for nine years (the board includes both trans and cisgender members) and in addition represented the gender reassignment protected category on the Crown Prosecution Service Community Accountability Forum.

Association of Women Solicitors, London

I was a former chair of the Association of Women Solicitors and am now chair of the Association of Women Solicitors, London (AWSL).

AWSL is an independent organisation which provides a voice for women lawyers in all walks of legal life as well as a community to support each other in our careers. Founded in 1992, AWSL is recognised by all major government and regulatory bodies and liaises with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and Legal Services Board. We also comment on issues affecting women solicitors in the media and respond to consultations from, for example, the JAC.

AWSL nominated a room at The Law Society Chancery Lane in memory of family law solicitor Joan Rubenstein* (1921-2017), an early campaigner for No Fault Divorce and a founder member of Resolution, the now high-profile organisation for family law professionals.

Leicestershire Law Society

This local law society was inaugurated at a meeting of Victorian gentlemen on 13th December 1860 and is now almost 160 years old. Its current objects include continuing the promotion of Leicester as a centre of legal excellence and encouraging diversity.

I was the first woman to be elected twice as President of the society (in 2005 and 2020) and a lot has certainly changed since 2005. This includes increased regulation, reduction in legal aid, the rise of the paralegal, court closures and of course remote working.

Much has also changed in terms of acceptance of women and increased diversity in the profession in the last 15 years. Many of the new local entrepreneurs are female and/or from ethnic minorities (as are several recent Society Presidents) reflecting the widening of diversity at all levels within the profession.

The benefits of involvement with your local law society includes social events, opportunities to meet colleagues outside of your own firm, the chance to contribute to debates concerning our profession and of course enter the awards’ competitions. Sadly, many local law societies are in decline, but I would encourage anyone to join and participate in your local law society – it is very rewarding and fun.

I have greatly enjoyed my voluntary work combining the “chewy” discussions I was used to as a practising solicitor with the satisfaction of helping to increase equality and diversity in the profession and ultimately the satisfaction of improving lives. There is plenty of such work and charity boards are always looking for lawyers.

Christl Hughes MBE

Christl Hughes MBE

Chair of Association of Women Solicitors, London

*https://first100years.org.uk/remembering-joan-rubinsteinpioneer-female-solicitor