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29 July 2020 / Judith Goulden
Issue: 7897 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Lord Justice Widgery and Me

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Judith Goulden rolls back the years and recalls her journey through life and law

During the never ending lockdown I sat in my study and glanced up at my certificate from the President of the Law Society congratulating me on completing 50 years on the Roll and thought of the years which had rolled by (almost without me noticing them) and the many memories of my journey as a lawyer. Here are some snapshots.

Articled clerk

I was articled to my father initially. Bad idea but, since I had no intention of being a solicitor, might as well. The first day I remember so well. I arrived at his office and his secretary (Mrs Burke) had told all the staff that I was to be addressed as Miss Judith. That went down well. My father took me into a room and gave me a lease to read, a chore so incredibly boring that I thought I wouldn’t last the day.

I had to go for a meeting at the Law Society for an interview to see if I was suitable

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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