Baroness Hale to deliver first lecture at Bristol since becoming Supreme Court President

Former Bristol University Chancellor Baroness Hale is set to make a triumphant return to the city next month when she delivers the Alumni Association annual lecture.

Hale, who conferred thousands of degrees in her role as Chancellor between 2004-2016, will be speaking for the first time at UoB since she was appointed as Britain's highest ranking judge in September 2017.

The lecture is set to be held at the Priory Road Lecture Theatre
on Friday 23rd February and will focus on the concept of dishonesty in law, drawing on the recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court in Ivey v Genting. Staff, students and alumni are welcome to attend for free.

One of the many degrees conferred by Hale during her time at Bristol

Her valedictory lecture in December 2016 was delivered to a packed out audience of staff and students. Hundreds crammed into the SU to hear how Hale went from Richmond, Yorkshire to the Richmond Building, Bristol, along the way becoming the most senior female judge in English legal history.

During her time at Bristol, Hale became something of an icon for many law students and feminists, as much as because of her warmth and intellect as her skill and work in championing diversity in the judiciary. Hale has retained links with UoB in her capacity as patron of the Richmond lectures, in which leading public figures are invited to Bristol to address students on a variety of topics.

Since standing down from the role of Bristol Chancellor, she has focused on her role at the Supreme Court. Having served as Deputy President from 2013-2017, she was appointed President of the Court last September and was sworn into office the following month.

The event is free to all students, staff and alumni

As a Justice of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale also sits on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Formerly the highest court of appeal for the British Empire, the Committee still serves this function for many independent Commonwealth nations.

Event organiser Max Austin told The Tab: "The Alumni Association are thrilled to be welcoming Baroness Hale back to Bristol for the first time since her appointment as President of the Supreme Court – the UK's most senior judge. She is, of course, no stranger to the University and it is always a great opportunity to hear insights from the world's towering legal figures."

If you are a student, staff member or alumni of the University of Bristol, you can order tickets for Baroness Hale's lecture here.