[ad_1]
The UK’s acting head of the judicial service apologized after a black lawyer was mistaken for a defendant three times in one day.
Alexandra Wilson, a family and criminal lawyer and author of In Black And White, tweeted that she was “absolutely exhausted” after court staff repeatedly failed to acknowledge that she was working in the legal profession.
His tweets quickly went viral, sparking accusations of racism within the UK judicial system.
Kevin Sadler, Acting Executive Director of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, apologized to Ms. Wilson, saying it was “totally unacceptable behavior” and that he would be investigating the role of his staff in the incident.
Today it was assumed that I was accused 3 times and a journalist once (laughs).
There MUST be something on my face that says “not a lawyer” because I am literally wearing a black suit like everyone else.
I do not get it. Today really bothered me a bit but … we move x
– Alexandra Wilson (@EssexBarrister) September 23, 2020
Ms. Wilson said that when she arrived in court yesterday, the security officer first asked her for her name so that they could find her on the defendant list.
“I explained to him that I was a lawyer. He apologized and walked me through security,” she said.
“At this point I tried to ignore it as an innocent mistake.”
After meeting with his client, he attempted to enter the courtroom to discuss the case with the prosecutor.
She said: “At the door, a member of the public told me not to go into the courtroom. I asked her why and she said that because it is a court, only lawyers can enter. She said I was a journalist.
“The usher (the only person who recognized that he was a lawyer today) said ignore her and go inside.
“When I opened the door, a lawyer / attorney said I had to wait outside the court and said that the usher (who, by the way, was next to me) would come out and register me and the court would call me on my case. I explained that I’m a lawyer. ”She looked embarrassed and said” oh. I see.
“She turned around and I walked over to the prosecutor, ready to have our conversation. Before we got there, the clerk, VERY loud, told me to get out of the courtroom and said the usher would be out shortly. who could answer, asked if it was represented.
“I, AGAIN, explained to her that I am a defense attorney trying to talk to the prosecutor. She looked at me, said” oh that’s okay “and continued what she was doing.
After the incidents, Ms. Wilson said she filed a formal complaint: “This is really not right though. I don’t expect to have to constantly justify my existence at work.”
Hello Mrs. Wilson, I am very sorry about your experience in court yesterday; it is totally unacceptable behavior and I am investigating the role of my staff and contractors urgently. This is not the behavior no one should expect 1/2
– Kevin Sadler (@CEOofHMCTS) September 24, 2020
Sadler responded to Ms. Wilson’s Twitter thread, saying: “I am investigating the role of my staff and contractors as a matter of urgency. This is not behavior that anyone should expect and it certainly does not reflect our values.”
It comes after official figures in the UK revealed that people of black, Asian and ethnic minority origin are less likely to be successful when applying to become judges, and only 9% are senior lawyers.
Last week, a report from the British Ministry of Justice found that BAME people “are overrepresented in judicial appointment requests” but are “less likely to be successful”.
Industry leaders have called for the legal profession to diversify to better represent the public.
[ad_2]