WOMEN BARRISTERS’ UPHILL FIGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 16 (Supplement)

WOMEN BARRISTERS’ UPHILL FIGHT

THE PIONEER DAYS

Changes Since 1922

ALTOGETHER some 250 women have been called to the Bar since 1922, when they were first admitted to the Inns of Court, and some filly of them aro now in actual practice says a barrister writing in the London ‘ ‘Observer. ” This proportion of nominal to practising barristers is nearly the same as that of men, for many regard the degree of barrister-at-law as an academic, or even a social, distinction, or merely as an additional qualification tor appointments in the public services. In the early days, women at the liar were not generally popular. They were pioneers in a new adventure and somewhat lacked that tact and judgment which they display so well m other human activities. All ot them w’ere very learned in the law, but unlearned in worldly wisdom. No one denied their keeness ad their devotion to their work, their assurance and courage. Many ot them had passed the lust dusk of youth, were ot independent means, had acquired the settled habits ot other processions, and accordingly were somewhat aggressive in manner, rebellious ot discipline, and inclined to be contemptuous and intolerant of the etiquette ot the Bar. Further, they were woefully disappointed that mere call to the Bar was not followed by regular work as advocates. When it is understood that it takes some live to ten years lor the average barrister to get into fair practice—aud the majority never reach that goal—the impatience of women t< .et work did not receive the sympathy that was expected. On the othei hand, there *as undoubtedly some prejudice against tbi6 new incursion in a profession formerly exclusively recruited from men, wh'ch was rellected in difficulties respecting admission to Chambers, Circuits, and

Sessions; thus they were without that training and experience which are so essential lor the practitioner and missed that intimate friendliness and camv raderie which are some ot its most pleasing characteristics Now that mutual and regrettable antagonism has quite disappeaied, aud tolerance and Helpfulness have replaced bias and ,p----ijosition. To-day there is quite a different type woman coming to the Bar. fhsy are youugo m jears, learned (as ilinr predecessors were) in the theory ot the iaw, ambitious in their work, and anxious to be treated as mere barristers rather than as women barristers; they ao not neglect, however, those feminine arts aud graces that are the heritage ot all women in their battle with the world at largo. Unlike those first called to the but like women doctors, they do not forget that dress and personal xppearance are matters ol no little moment lor all women at all times. The robes of a barrister are generally very becoming ; some ot them wear wing collars with their bands, which give them a mannish appearance ; others don an attractive Elizabethan ruff, and the remainder sport some kind of feminine collar. The forensic wig accentuates the cherubic looks of the younger women.

Despite their youth and comeliness, they invariably appear and are serious-ly-minded, I'uduly sensitive to ridicule, and truly grateiul for that meed o) praise and recognition which is the lot .of the successful. Some ot them leave > the Bar for the greatest adventure ol 1 life—marriage. Usually they lead or are led to the altar by one oi their own profession, in which vocation they apparently achieve unusual success. who still struggle in the uphill tight at ■ che Bar are lull of grit and deteruuua- . non to giet on ; a few are temperamental, and some lack the saving grace o» , uumoui Ail have one uselul virtue they do i not mumble their words in Court and me rarely told by the judges to speak up, tnougb occasionally they are* a little too voluble and ask question* which are oiten irrelevant or ambar ’ rassuig to their clients. They now compete with men on an equal looting, aJways provided they are willing, us most ol them are, to accept with equanimity tho obligations as well as the rights oi their prolession i Women uow lealise that they must i depend entirely on their natural and cultivated abilities. What of their pios- ■ pects? As practitioners, they are gen r * wally no better and no worse than r their professional brethren. Borne unwisely boast of their large practices,

which, on investigation, will usually prove to consist chiefly of unpaid work but most of them modestly, but sadly, admit that it is almost impossible to make a living wage by practise at the Bar alone. But they are very brave and hopeful, aud are comforted, if not consoled, when they hear that tlieir professional brethren are in like straits Women barristers are now regarded as members of a great profession : they are treated at the Bar as barristers, not as women; they expect and desire no favours, and are content to win their way through by hard work and perseverance They no longer are attracted 'ay the alleged glamour oi the Bar, but treat their work with earnestness and respect, and are now worthy, if not formidable, competitors in the most difficult of all professions. The one great obstacle to success lor women at the Bar is that each has to .stand absolutely by herself. Alone she has to fight her way up the ladder ol tame and continue to hold her own. She must have a quick brain, good reasoning power, the ready ability to distinguish between material and irrelevant iacts, and the protective and fighting instinct lor her client within the limitations ot the regulations of the Bar Council An alert and pleasant manner, bridled fluency ol speech, and a varied knowledge oi human nature, are essential lor tho work of an advocate. Experience alone will teach her caution and judgment. The woman barrister is full of earnestness and hope, but at times is just a little depressed and impatient of that Jong and tedious wait for work which is the lot of al] who practise at the most onerous and uncertain of all professions.