As Lord Sumption would attest, gender equality in the legal profession remains very much a live issue. But Obiter hopes some progress has been made since 1969, when employment lawyer Dame Janet Gaymer was applying for articles.

Speaking at a discussion on how diversity and innovation can shape the legal profession, Gaymer recalled a response she received from a firm that still exists today. ‘The letter sent back was “Thank you for your application. We’re prejudiced against female articled clerks because of some unfortunate experiences in the past so we shall not be calling you for interview.”’

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