United Kingdom Association
of
Jewish Lawyers & Jurists
UKAJLJ Presents our next talk on November 25th - registration 6pm onwards -ON ZOOM
ROS WRIGHT CB QC will be speaking about 'JEWISH WOMEN - PIONEERS IN THE LAW'
Please email ukajlj@jewishlawyers.co.uk
for tickets
Ros Wright read law at University College London and is a barrister and Bencher of Middle Temple. Her professional work was largely at the employed Bar, having been an Assistant Director at the DPP’s Office, then General Counsel as a financial services regulator and latterly, Director of the Serious Fraud Office. She has also chaired the supervisory committee of the European Anti-Fraud Committee and the Advisory Fraud Panel, and served as an independent member of a number of Government Departmental boards. She currently chairs professional disciplinary tribunals for accountancy and other professional bodies. She was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2001 and an honorary QC in 2006.
Antisemitism is an insidious cancer that has afflicted the Jewish people throughout the ages.
After the atrocities of the 20th century, one would not have expected a resurgence within the seat of democracy, British parliament.
But in recent years this virus has gained prominence at the centre of British politics.
On 15th October the UKAJLJ held a webinar entitled Antisemitism in British Politics Today, chaired by Sir Michael Burton, the outgoing Chairman of the Committee. We were honoured to have as our guest speakers Lord Mann, a former Labour MP who now sits in the House of Lords as a cross bencher, and in 2019 was appointed as the government’s advisor on antisemitism, and Dame Louise Ellman, Chair of the Labour Friends of Israel and vice president of the Jewish Leadership Council. Both were politicians of long-standing, and staunch supporters of the Labour party. Both resigned from the party after what they observed as a fundamental failure to address numerous incidents of antisemitism, and the failure by the executive to deal with them.
Lord Mann, who is not Jewish, spoke of those failures, the cause and effect, and the steps that could be taken to combat antisemitism. Dame Louise Ellman spoke of her personal experiences of antisemitism that occurred within her Liverpool constituency, the abysmal treatment meted out to her because she is Jewish, and the woefully inadequate way it was handled by the executive.
The talk was followed by both speakers answering questions, and Jonathan Lux gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the Committee of UKAJLJ.
From left to right; Jakki, Levene (Secretary UKAJLJ), Sir Michael Burton (Chairman UKAJLJ), Sir Terence Etherton MR, Riaz Hussain QC (Techbar).
On Monday 13th January 2020 the United Kingdom Association of Jewish Lawyers & Jurists (UKAJLJ) in conjunction with the TECBAR and COMBAR Equality and Diversity Committees were delighted to host this talk by Sir Terence Etherton MR.
Sir Terence gave a fascinating and humorous account of the development of the role of the Master of the Rolls, the previous Jewish holders of the office, and his own very personal, and impressive story of his rise through the ranks of the judiciary as an openly gay married man.
The meeting was very well attended and followed by a drinks reception which was generously supported by Gray’s Inn.
Religious Education and the Attitude of Family Courts on 20th November
Joint talk with the Association of Muslim Lawyers
![IMG_8807[4].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a35e9d_cf2faa988bce4e919bdc8f25e66aad8e~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_345,h_259,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/IMG_8807%5B4%5D_JPG.jpg)
From left to right, Saima Zia (AML), Sarah Anticoni (Speaker), Jacqueline Levene (UKAJLJ), Remy Mohamed (AML)
Since 2014 the UKJLJ has held an annual joint meeting with the AML on subjects of mutual interest and concern. Following on from previous successful talks, this year’s subject was on ‘Religious education and the attitude of Family Courts’.
We were privileged to have as our guest speaker Sarah Anticoni, a partner in the firm of Charles Russell Speechlys, and a recognised expert in resolution of all matters relating to family disputes. Unfortunately, the speaker for the AML, Zimran Samuel, was unable to attend due to a last minute family illness.
Ms Anticoni gave a fascinating talk, which engendered a great many questions and lively discussion.
The meeting was hosted by Augustus Della – Porta of Bates Wells, who also provided the refreshments.
On the 22nd July we were honoured to welcome Professor Katznelson, Professor of Political Science and History at Columbia University, as our guest speaker. He took us on a wonderfully erudite journey from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century expounding on the introduction, and sometimes revocation, of laws relating to Jews and their religious practices in the United Kingdom, and to a lesser degree, in the USA.
The talk was followed by a lively discussion
Our talk on the 8th of April 2019 “Nazi Looted Art: The Difficulties and Realities of Restitution”
From left to right:
Warren Gordon (CMS), Anne Webber (Looted Art),
Tony Baumgartner (HHJ), Jakki Levene (Hon Secretary: UKALJ), Sir Michael Burton (Chairman UKALJ)
On 8th April we were privileged to have two distinguished guest speakers, Anne Webber, founder and co-chair of The Commission for Looted Art in Europe, and His Honour Judge Tony Baumgartner, a member of the Spoliation Advisory Panel.
Anne Webber gave a sometimes troubling account of the attitudes of European Governments and museums in deciding whether to return art treasures to their rightful owners, whilst HHJ Baumgartner told us of the work of the Panel, and the difficulties in deciding who are the rightful owners of art works.
Both speakers gave us an insight into their valuable work, and we are most grateful to them.
The meeting was hosted by CMS and followed by a reception.
Our talk on Monday 5th November 2018
'Religion and the Workplace'
Lady Justice Simler DBE and Mr Tariq Sadiq
From left to right;
Sir Michael Burton (Chairman of the UKAJLJ), Lady Jusice Simler DBE, Mr Tariq Sadiq and Warrant Gordon
On Monday 5th November 2018, together with the Association of Muslim lawyers, we held a talk on ‘Religion in the Workplace’. We were privileged to have as our guest speakers Dame Ingrid Simler, President of the EAT and recently appointed as a Lady Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Tariq Sadiq, the distinguished barrister who specialises in discrimination law. They gave us a valuable insight into the complex problems relating to religious observance in the working environment, and the difficulties facing courts in achieving an appropriate balance of individual rights.
The meeting was kindly hosted by CMS and was well attended by members of both the UKAJLJ and the AML.
Lindsay Simmonds chaired a discussion with Rabbi Sheridan and Rabba Smith on
'The Future Role of Female Rabbis'
Dame Cressida Dick Talk on 11th of September 2019
From left to right; Florette Hyman, Cressida Dick, Sir Michael Burton GBE, QC (chairman UKAJLJ).
We were thrilled to have Dame Cressida Dick talk to us, especially on such an auspicious day. It was an extremely insightful and thought provoking evening into the Metropolitan Police approach to hate crime, knife attacks and cybercrime, amongst other things.
The evening was well attended and Dame Cressida Dick took many Q and A's from the audience.
We thank our Committee Member, Florette Hyman for her help in the evening coming to fruition. We also thank Taylor Wessing for hosting.
Please follow this link to view the article in the Jewish News about the event: https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/after-receiving-
The Hon. Sir Michael Burton GBE Kt. QC (above), became chairman of the UKAJLJ committee five years ago. He agreed to take on the role for one year, and we are fortunate that he remained as Chair for so long. His tenure was a resounding success, and our distinguished guest speakers included Lady Justice Ingrid Simler, Lord Neuberger, and John Bercow, among others. He conducted meetings with considerable enthusiasm, humour, and efficiency, and we are grateful for everything he has done for the Association.
Following in the tradition of our Association, we welcome another eminent judge as our new chairman, the Honourable Mr. Justice David Waksman. (below)
