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Pioneering Women in Law

1907 – 2000

Betty Archdale

Feminist, Early Woman Barrister, Cricketer and Educator

1889 – 1977

Sybil Campbell OBE

First woman full-time professional judge

1881 – 1951

Bertha Cave

Appealed to the House of Lords over her application rejection from Gray’s Inn

1883 – 1969

Lady Gladys Chatterjee OBE

Industrial welfare promoter and barrister

1891 – 1945

Monica Geikie Cobb

The first woman to hold a brief in court

1885 – 1966

Beatrice Honour Davy

Solicitor and first woman to appear at the Devon assizes

1893 – 1979

Averil Deverill

The first woman, along with Frances Kyle, to be called to the Irish Bar

1896 – 1961

Auvergne Doherty

First woman from Western Australia to be called to the Bar

1885 – 1978

Dr Letitia Fairfield CBE

Doctor, Lawyer, a War-Worker and the first Female Chief Medical Officer for London

1876 – 1963

Edith Ann Mary Haynes

Law clerk who fought for the right to practise as a lawyer

1899 – 1971

Edith Hesling

First woman to be called to Gray’s Inn and first woman on the Northern Circuit

1894 – 1958

Frances Kyle

The first woman, together with Averil Deverell, to be admitted to the Bar in Ireland

1872 – 1937

Chrystal Macmillan

A remarkable pacifist, barrister and feminist

1882 – 1957

Helena Normanton KC

First woman to practice at the Bar and feminist campaigner

1848 – 1937

Eliza Orme

First woman to earn a law degree

1893 – 1939

Marjorie Powell

First woman to be admitted to Lincoln’s Inn

1866 – 1954

Cornelia Sorabji

First woman to study law at Oxford University, first female advocate in India and first woman to practice law in India and Britain

1898 – 1981

Mithan Tata/Lam

First Indian woman to be called to the Bar and first woman barrister to practise in India