His Majesty The King has appointed Durham Law School professor Clare McGlynn to the body responsible for the selection of judges in England and Wales.
Professor McGlynn joins the Judicial Appointments Commission, which plays a major constitutional role by helping to ensure the judiciary is independent and diverse.
Her appointment was made by King Charles III on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.
It reflects Professor McGlynn’s long-standing commitment to encouraging greater equality and diversity in the law and legal profession.
It also follows her appointment as an Honorary KC (King’s Counsel) for championing equality for women in the legal profession and shaping new criminal laws on extreme pornography and image-based sexual abuse.
Professor McGlynn is a leading advocate of the need to improve equality and women’s representation in the legal profession.
Her first book The Woman Lawyer: making the difference, published in 1998, continues to serve as a foundation for much of the research and policy work in this field.
Professor McGlynn said: “The Woman Lawyer- making the difference recommended the establishment of a judicial appointments commission to encourage greater representation of women.
“It is heartening to now be a member of such a Commission with the opportunity to effect real change.”
Professor McGlynn’s research and policy work has been hugely influential in shaping the law of the UK.
She worked closely with politicians, civil society organisation and victims of online abuse to ensure the recently enacted Online Safety Act 2023 updated laws on cyberflashing and intimate image abuse.
She was also part of a coalition which worked with politicians to ensure that social media platforms and UK communications regulator Ofcom took greater steps to reduce online violence against women and girls under the Act.
Find out more
Discover more about Professor Clare McGlynn KC (Hon).
Read more about the Judicial Appointments Commission and see the official UK Government announcement about Professor McGlynn’s appointment.
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