Investigation after black barrister mistaken three times for defendant by staff
The head of the UK’s court service has apologised to a black barrister after she was mistaken for a defendant three times in one day by staff.
Alexandra Wilson, a criminal and family barrister, tweeted about being “absolutely exhausted” after staff at the court failed to recognise who she was several times.
Kevin Sadler, the acting chief executive of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service apologised to Wilson, saying it was “totally unacceptable behaviour”, and added that an investigation was being launched.
Hello Ms Wilson, I‘m very sorry about your experience at court yesterday – it is totally unacceptable behaviour and I’m investigating the role of my staff and contractors as a matter of urgency. This is not the behaviour anyone should expect 1/2
— Kevin Sadler (@CEOofHMCTS) September 24, 2020
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In the tweets, Wilson said she “needed to shine a light” on the problem because “so many people like me seem to experience the same thing”.
She explained when she arrived at court on Wednesday and the security officer asked for her name so he could find it on the list of defendants.
She said: “I explained I was a barrister. He apologised and guided me through security.
“At this point I tried to shrug it off as an innocent mistake.”
First, the security officer asked me what my name was so he could ‘find [my] name on the list’ (the list of defendants). I explained I was a barrister. He apologised and guided me through security.
At this point I tried to shrug it off as an innocent mistake.— Alexandra Wilson (@EssexBarrister) September 23, 2020
But she carried on and it happened again, after meeting with her clients she then tried to enter the courtroom to discuss the case with the prosecutor but a member of the public told her not to go in mistaking her for a journalist.
Wilson said: “I asked why and she said because it’s a court, only lawyers can go in. She said I was a journalist.”
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She was then told by an usher who knew who she was to ignore them and go in the courtroom.
As soon as Wilson entered the court she was stopped for a third time.
She said: “As I opened the door, a solicitor/barrister said I needed to wait outside court and said the usher would come outside and sign me in and the court would call me in for my case.
As I opened the door, a solicitor/ barrister said I needed to wait outside court and said the usher (who, btw, was next to me) would come outside and sign me in & the court would call me in for my case. I explained I’m a barrister. She looked embarrassed and said “oh. I see.”
— Alexandra Wilson (@EssexBarrister) September 23, 2020
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“I explained I’m a barrister. She looked embarrassed and said ‘oh, I see’.”
Wilson was then stopped for a fourth time, and the third time by a member of staff, at the court as she approached the prosecutor.
She said: “Before I got there the clerk, very loudly, told me to leave the courtroom and said the usher would be out shortly.
“Before I could respond she then asked if I was represented.
“I, again, explained that I am a defence barrister trying to speak to the prosecutor.
“She looked at me, said ‘oh right, ok’ and continued with what she was doing.”
A new report by the Judicial Diversity Forum sheds light on diversity in the judiciary & the legal professions. It will help better identify challenges & increase the pace of progress.
We will use our oversight role to help drive the improvements needed https://t.co/8oKmZ6m1BC pic.twitter.com/4XA9vbqXpT— Legal Services Board (@LSB_EngandWal) September 17, 2020
Wilson said she had lodged a formal complaint about the incident saying: “I don’t expect to have to constantly justify my existence at work.”
Sadler responded to Wilson’s twitter thread and said: “I’m investigating the role of my staff and contractors as a matter of urgency.
“This is not the behaviour anyone should expect and certainly does not reflect our values.”
Last week a Ministry of Justice report found BAME people “over-represented in applications for judicial appointment” but are “less likely to be successful”.
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