Ann Ebsworth
Encyclopedia
Dame Ann Marian Ebsworth, DBE
(19 May 1937 — 4 April 2002) was a British
barrister
and judge
. In 1992, she became the sixth female High Court judge
, and the first to be assigned to the Queen's Bench Division.
Ebsworth's father, Arthur Ebsworth, was an officer in the Royal Marines
and her early life was spent in various barracks. She was educated at Notre Dame Convent, Worth, West Sussex
, and at Portsmouth High School. She read history at Royal Holloway College, University of London, where she was a formidable debater, captaining teams in intercollegiate contests and honing her skills for later courtroom performances.
She was called to the Bar
at Gray's Inn
in 1962, where she was later a bencher
. She practised mainly in Liverpool
, concentrating on criminal work. She became head of her chambers, but did not become a QC
. She became a Recorder
in the Crown Court
in 1978, and a circuit judge in 1983. She served on the Mental Health Review Tribunal
from 1975 to 1983, and on the Parole Board
from 1989 to 1992.
She was appointed a High Court judge
in 1992, becoming the sixth female High Court judge after Elizabeth Lane
, Rose Heilbron
, Margaret Booth
, Elizabeth Butler-Sloss and Joyanne Bracewell
. All previous female High Court judges were appointed to the Family Division
, although many were more experienced in non-family matters.
Ebsworth was the first to be assigned to the Queen's Bench Division, and, the following year, Mary Arden
was the first (and only) female High Court judge to be assigned to the Chancery Division. On 20 May 1992, the day after her 55th birthday, Ebsworth was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(DBE).
In later life, she was involved in teaching advocacy in Gray's Inn
, and for the South Eastern Circuit, particularly at an annual course at Keble College, Oxford
.
on 10 April 2002.
, a rare form of Cancer
, which claimed her life on 4 April 2002, aged 64. She never married.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(19 May 1937 — 4 April 2002) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
. In 1992, she became the sixth female High Court judge
High Court judge
A High Court judge is a judge of the High Court of Justice, and represents the third highest level of judge in the courts of England and Wales. High Court judges are referred to as puisne judges...
, and the first to be assigned to the Queen's Bench Division.
Ebsworth's father, Arthur Ebsworth, was an officer in the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
and her early life was spent in various barracks. She was educated at Notre Dame Convent, Worth, West Sussex
Worth, West Sussex
The civil parish of Worth, which includes the villages of Copthorne, West Sussex and Crawley Down, covers an area of and has a population of 9888 persons. The ecclesiastical parish was one of the larger West Sussex parishes, encompassing the entire area along the West Sussex/Surrey border between...
, and at Portsmouth High School. She read history at Royal Holloway College, University of London, where she was a formidable debater, captaining teams in intercollegiate contests and honing her skills for later courtroom performances.
She was called to the Bar
Call to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1962, where she was later a bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
. She practised mainly in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, concentrating on criminal work. She became head of her chambers, but did not become a QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
. She became a Recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
in the Crown Court
Crown Court
The Crown Court of England and Wales is, together with the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, one of the constituent parts of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
in 1978, and a circuit judge in 1983. She served on the Mental Health Review Tribunal
Mental Health Review Tribunal
The Mental Health Review Tribunal consists of two distinct bodies, within a single non-departmental public body, which exist to protect the rights of persons subject to the Mental Health Act 1983 in England and Wales in the United Kingdom...
from 1975 to 1983, and on the Parole Board
Parole Board
A parole board is a panel of people who decide whether an offender should be released from prison on parole after serving at least a minimum portion of their sentence as prescribed by the sentencing judge. Parole boards are used in many jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and the United...
from 1989 to 1992.
She was appointed a High Court judge
High Court judge
A High Court judge is a judge of the High Court of Justice, and represents the third highest level of judge in the courts of England and Wales. High Court judges are referred to as puisne judges...
in 1992, becoming the sixth female High Court judge after Elizabeth Lane
Elizabeth Lane
Dame Elizabeth Lane, DBE was one of the first women to practise as a barrister in the United Kingdom.Born Elizabeth Kathleen Coulborn, she was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1940...
, Rose Heilbron
Rose Heilbron
Dame Rose Heilbron, DBE, QC was one of the outstanding barristers of the post-war period in the United Kingdom, whose career included many 'firsts' for a woman - she was the first woman to win a scholarship to Gray's Inn, the first woman to be appointed King's Counsel in England, the first to lead...
, Margaret Booth
Margaret Booth (judge)
Dame Margaret Myfanwy Wood Booth, DBE is a retired British judge.In January 1979, she became the third woman to be appointed as a High Court judge. Like her predecessors, Elizabeth Lane and Rose Heilbron, she was assigned to the Family Division.She retired from judicial office in 1994...
, Elizabeth Butler-Sloss and Joyanne Bracewell
Joyanne Bracewell
Dame Joyanne Winifred Bracewell, DBE, QC, FRSA was the most senior judge of the Family Division of the High Court of Justice at the time of her death, after the President of the Family Division.-Early life and career:...
. All previous female High Court judges were appointed to the Family Division
Family division
Family division can refer to:* Family Division of the High Court of Justice* divorce* annulment* division of property* alimony* parental responsibility * dysfunctional familyFor an overview, please see family and family law....
, although many were more experienced in non-family matters.
Ebsworth was the first to be assigned to the Queen's Bench Division, and, the following year, Mary Arden
Mary Arden
Mary Shakespeare, née Mary Arden, was the mother of William Shakespeare. She was the daughter of Robert Arden and his first wife Mary Arden née Mary Webb . The Arden family had been prominent in Warwickshire since before the Norman Conquest...
was the first (and only) female High Court judge to be assigned to the Chancery Division. On 20 May 1992, the day after her 55th birthday, Ebsworth was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(DBE).
In later life, she was involved in teaching advocacy in Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, and for the South Eastern Circuit, particularly at an annual course at Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
.
Religion
Two sources indicate that Dame Ann Ebsworth was a Roman Catholic, but other sources and obituaries make no mention of this. Her funeral service was held at Gray's InnGray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
on 10 April 2002.
Death
She retired in 2001 due to Peritoneal MesotheliomaPeritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.The peritoneum is made of two...
, a rare form of Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, which claimed her life on 4 April 2002, aged 64. She never married.
Legacy
- She left £1 million to the Institute of Child Health to fund research under the auspices of the Ann Ebsworth Centre for Childhood Epilepsy, at Great Ormond Street HospitalGreat Ormond Street HospitalGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
.
- The Dame Ann Ebsworth Memorial Lectures are held annually at the Inner TempleInner TempleThe Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in her memory.
External links
- Obituary The Guardian, 12 April 2002
- Obituary, The Daily Telegraph, 9 April 2002
- Dame Ann Ebsworth Second Memorial Lecture
- London Gazette notice of damehood, 20 May 1992