Lady judges get justice at Old Bailey

THE Old Bailey has “gender parity” with its resident judges for the first time since it became England’s principal court in 1834.

It now has seven female and seven male full-time judges – including three mothers with school-age children.

Recorder of London Mark Lucraft, QC, the Old Bailey’s most senior judge, hailed it as “significant step.”

But the 59-year-old said: “I would be the first to accept there is more needs to be done in respect of ethnic background.”

Reflecting on the educational backgrounds of judges, he added: “I know quite a number of judges here are not from [Oxbridge]… I went to a comprehensive school in north London and the University of Kent.”

Judge Alexia Durran, 50, said: “I hope that by seeing female judges presiding over some of the most difficult cases it will inspire other young women to consider law and judicial appointment as a career.”

The first woman to become a full-time judge sitting at the Old Bailey was JudgeWendy Joseph QC, in 2012.