Midlands women in crime

A group for women who work in criminal law has opened a Midlands branch. Women in Criminal Law (WICL), the brainchild of Katy Thorne QC, a London criminal barrister, first launched in London last year. It provides advice, training, mentoring and support to all women working in the field, paralegals, judges, caseworkers, barristers and solicitors. Michelle Heeley QC, of No5 Barristers’ Chambers Birmingham office and Mary Prior QC, of The 36 Group, helped to form the Midlands branch. Heeley said the profession was ‘facing a genuine brain drain’ of women due to the unpredictable nature of the work.