Women in the Law - A Centenary Celebration

We were delighted to attend a celebratory dinner sponsored by Donna Seruya Sackman and organised in conjunction with The Honorable Samantha Sacramento MP and her Ministry of Justice and Equality on Monday 17 February 2020 together with around 50 female lawyers, both practising and not-practising, admitted to be barristers and solicitors in Gibraltar.

The event marked 100 years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 was passed permitting women to enter the legal profession paving the way for female pioneers to become solicitors and barristers.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, and the only female Government Minister, provided some insight into various initiatives and legislative changes she will be spearheading with a view to reduce the gender pay gap in Gibraltar. Donna Seruya Sackman, the second woman ever to be admitted to the Bar in Gibraltar, gave an empowering speech about her unusual career trajectory to success – what we would now call a 'portfolio' career – and Puisne Judge Karen Ramagge Prescott relayed inspiring personal anecdotes about her journey to becoming the first female judge in Gibraltar. 

The dinner was attended by Hassans Partners Valerie Holliday, Justine Picardo and Gillian Guzman QC, the first female QC in Gibraltar, and the youngest person to become a QC in Gibraltar.

The event served as a reminder that, although legislation has, for the most part, come a long way towards supporting the rights of women at work, societal attitudes and cultural mindsets have some way to go for women to reach true equality in the workplace.