Dinner Reception in honour of Baroness Hale of Richmond at the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore

H.E. Mrs Evelyne Genta attended a Dinner Reception on Tuesday 22^nd January at the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore hosted by the High Commissioner herself, H.E. Mrs Foo Chi Hsia. This event assembled a number of influential women diplomats including H.E. Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, High Commissioner of India, H.E. Mrs Nomatemba Tambo, High Commissioner of South Africa as well as H.E. Mrs Janice Charette, the Canadian High Commissioner.

The evening’s guest of honour was Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and first woman to hold this position. She began her career teaching law at the University of Manchester before becoming Professor of Law. She was appointed to the Law Commission in 1984 and spent ten years re-defining the face of family law overseeing a number of important reforms. Having been nominated Queen’s Counsel by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II as well as High Court judge, Baroness Hale was the first woman to be appointed Lord of Appeal in Ordinary at the House of Lords. Baroness Hale of Richmond has criticised judicial appointments system for self-selecting from a pool of predominantly white men from similar economic and academic backgrounds. She called for a more balanced gender representation on the UK’s highest court and swifter progress promoting those from minority ethnic backgrounds and with “less privileged lives”.

During the dinner, the Heads of missions were able to discuss the current political situation in the UK as well as its future. Baroness Hale of Richmond gave a speech where she shared her view on Brexit and spoke about the legal issues caused by it.