College News
Mansfield Student Imogen Boxall Competes in OUBC’s Osiris Crew 2025
2025
Helena Normanton and Rose Heilbron both took silk in 1949 and, to date, a total of 641 women have been appointed King’s Counsel.
This year’s official statistics show that the female proportion in all three legal profession groups (barristers, solicitors and CILEx) has gradually risen since 2014. 40% of barristers and 43% of judges are female.
"Women are generally well represented in the legal professions but we still see fewer women in the top positions. And although progress has been made in improving the prospects for women in the law generally, the path is much harder for some women than others. We must focus on how intersectionality can impact representation, where gender combines with other protected characteristics. As an example, there are relatively fewer women from minority ethnic backgrounds in silk. A modern judiciary should reflect the society it serves. Not only does this build confidence in the courts and the justice system but it is just the right thing to do. So the Judicial Diversity Forum is really important, co-ordinating efforts across the board."
