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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 criminal lawyer and family member, tweeted that she was “absolutely exhausted” after staff repeatedly treated her as a suspected criminal.
His tweets quickly went viral, sparking accusations of racism within the 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.
Wilson, author of In Black and White, A Memoir of Her Career So Far,
He said that when he arrived at court on Wednesday, the security officer first asked his name so that he could be found on the defendant list.
(Image: essexbarrister / Instagram)
“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.
(Image: essexbarrister / Instagram)
“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.
Following the incidents, Ms. Wilson said she filed a formal complaint:
“However, this is really not right. I don’t expect to have to constantly justify my existence at work.”
Sadler responded to Ms. Wilson’s Twitter thread saying: “I am investigating the role of my staff and contractors urgently.
This is not the behavior that anyone should expect and it certainly does not reflect our values. ”
Amanda Pinto QC, president of the Bar Association, called the incident “shocking.”
She said: “With regret, I am afraid that Alexandra’s experience is not unique.
Many attorneys have to put up with the biased assumptions of others:
Alexandra has done it with exemplary grace and patience. I am speaking directly to the HMCTS, the higher judiciary and the CPS immediately, urging that more be done to eradicate this behavior. ”
It comes after official figures revealed that people of black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) origin are less likely to be successful when they apply to become judges, and only 9% are senior attorneys.
Last week, a report from the Justice Ministry 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.
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