Standing up for Dr Charlotte Proudman is standing up for ALL women
We recently wrote this letter to the Bar Standards Board (BSB). This letter expresses deep concern and dismay over the Bar Standards Board's decision to prosecute Dr
. It questions the fairness of the process employed by the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service (BTAS).The letter was first reported on exclusively by Independent reporter Maya Oppenheim:
Signatories to the letter to the BSB, which we proudly spearheaded, include Labour MP Apsana Begum, me (Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno), director and founder of the SHERA Research Group, leading family law solicitor Dr Ann Olivarius KC (Hon) and women’s rights activist Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst. Other names reflect Dr Proudman’s work on women’s rights and particularly in acting for victims of domestic abuse.
The letter argues that Dr Proudman's criticism of a judgment by Sir Jonathan Cohen does not undermine the legal system's integrity but demonstrates her own integrity in defending vulnerable individuals. It calls for the withdrawal of the prosecution and a public apology to Dr Proudman.
Furthermore, the letter demands that judges and legal professionals withdraw membership from the Garrick Club due to its discriminatory practices. It questions why Sir Cohen, a member of the Garrick Club, presided over a domestic abuse case, suggesting that judges in such institutions should consider recusing themselves.
Regarding the decision to prosecute Dr Proudman, the letter criticises the BSB for prioritising punishing her over other legal professionals who have engaged in more severe misconduct. The letter also highlights the hypocrisy of the BSB for failing to reprimand members of the Bar who made derogatory comments about Dr Proudman while singling out her criticism as offensive. It calls for the BSB to redirect its efforts toward addressing online abuse against Dr Proudman and other women. It also argues that the charges against Dr Proudman are oppressive and unjust. Concerns are further raised about due process and fairness, particularly regarding the appointment of Philip Havers KC to the prosecution tribunal, who is a member of the Garrick Club.
As an advocate for women's rights, Dr Proudman has faced threats and harassment, including misogynistic tweets and accusations of misandry from rapist fathers in family court cases. The letter emphasises the need to protect advocates like Dr Proudman and ensure their safety in the workplace. Overall, the letter expresses support for Dr Proudman and criticises the justice system for failing to uphold principles of justice, particularly in its treatment of her case.
These disciplinary proceedings against Dr Proudman epitomise the very concerns Dr Proudman raises on a daily basis for ALL women. The proceedings against Dr Proudman are a DARVO attack on a woman for simply stating the obvious - that our judicial systems are biased against women, as shown and reported by our own government’s Ministry of Justice Harm Report.
In standing up for Dr Proudman, we are standing up for ALL women.
At present, the BSB have refused to comment on the letter, effectively disregarding our valid concerns by failing to acknowledge and address the complaints we rightly raised. This erodes confidence in the BSB's ability to fulfil its mandate effectively. Who can we present our concerns to if everyone in authority positions is unwilling to engage with us?
If you wish to add your signature to this letter, please email us at: shera-research@protonmail.com