Celebrating 75 years of female silks

01/10/24

Over 350 women KCs and judges joined in celebrations at the Royal Courts of Justice to mark 75 years since women first ‘took silk’ and became King’s Counsel (KC) – an award for excellence in advocacy in the higher courts.

In 1949 barristers Helena Normanton and Rose Heilbron were the first women to take silk and become KCs under King George VI. We're delighted that Dame Rose’s daughter, Hilary Heilbron KC, of Brick Court Chambers, attended the celebration at the RCJ.

Hilary was joined by most of the 12 female silks who now practise at Brick Court, including several KCs with their KC former pupils.

Hilary said: “I am extremely proud to join with so many others in tonight’s celebration of the achievements of my mother, aged only 34, and Helena Normanton in breaking the mould 75 years ago by being the first women to take silk.

“As a strong and vocal supporter of women’s rights and opportunities for women in the law, my mother would have been delighted to learn of the progress that has been made, slow though it has been (even as late as 1969, she was the only female QC practising at the Bar in the country). She would have been thrilled, as I am, that we have gathered here to recognise not only the achievements of 75 years ago, but also of so many other trailblazing women in the legal profession since then, but there is still a way to go.”

The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, who took silk in 2003 addressed the KCs and other attendees. She said:

“Women are generally well represented in the legal professions although we still see fewer women in the top positions.

“Progress has been made but the path is much harder for some and we must, as we do tonight, celebrate success – that’s you, all of you here tonight – you are all magnificent and an extraordinary inspiration to the profession and to young aspiring lawyers everywhere."

Today, at the practising Bar, women make up 39% of all barristers and 21% of KCs.