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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

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

42BR Barristers—4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers—4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers to be joined by leading family law set, 4 Brick Court, this summer

Winckworth Sherwood—Rubianka Winspear

Winckworth Sherwood—Rubianka Winspear

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Gateley Legal—Daniel Walsh

Gateley Legal—Daniel Walsh

Firm bolsters real estate team with partner hire in Birmingham

NEWS
A wave of housing and procedural reforms is set to test the limits of tribunal capacity. In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold charts sweeping change as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 begins biting
Plans to reduce jury trials risk missing the real problem in the criminal justice system. Writing in NLJ this week, David Wolchover of Ridgeway Chambers argues the crown court backlog is fuelled not by juries but weak cases slipping through a flawed ‘50%’ prosecution test
Emerging technologies may soon transform how courts determine truth in deeply personal disputes. In this week's NLJ, Madhavi Kabra of 1 Hare Court and Harry Lambert of Outer Temple Chambers explore how neurotechnology could reshape family law
A controversial protest case has reignited debate over the limits of free expression. In NLJ this week, Nicholas Dobson examines a Quran-burning incident testing public order law
The courts have drawn a firm line under attempts to extend arbitration appeals. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed of the University of Leicester highlights that if the High Court refuses permission under s 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, that is the end
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