Women’s rights lawyer faces suspension for accusing judge of ‘boys club’ attitude

More than 60 lawyers, campaigners, politicians and academics have backed a women’s rights lawyer who faces suspension for questioning a judge’s “boys club” approach to rulings in domestic abuse cases.

Charlotte Proudman, a family law solicitor who specializes in violence against women, vented on social media as Sir Jonathan Cohen downplayed her client’s claims of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-husband.

She was outraged after the judge described their relationship as “intense” and used the word “reckless” to describe the alleged domestic violence.

The 35-year-old is currently under investigation by the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales, the barrister regulator, and risks losing her license for a year or being fined for her comments.

In the tweet that triggered the start of the disciplinary proceedings, Dr Proudman said: “I do not accept the judge’s reasoning. This judgment echoes the ‘boys’ club’ that still exists among men in positions of power.”

When she posted the tweet in April 2022, she knew Sir Jonathan belonged to the Garrick Club – a private members’ club that has faced ongoing criticism for refusing to accept female members. Dr. Proudman lost his case before the family judge.

Some high-profile supporters are now calling on the Bar Standards Board to drop its disciplinary investigation.Labor MP Apsana Begum and women’s rights activists Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu and Dr Helen Pankhurst are among those who signed the letter to the agency, which was shared exclusively with independent.

The letter argued that the charges against Dr Proudman were “oppressive” and “unjust” and warned that she appeared to be “unfairly targeted by those in power to suppress dissent and maintain control”.

It states: “We do not believe that Dr Proudman’s comments on Sir Jonathan Cohen’s sentencing undermine the integrity of the system or reduce confidence in it; rather, we believe that publicly defending vulnerable individuals from possessing significant power The violation of justice requires great integrity.

“We demand that the Bar Standards Board drop its misleading prosecution and issue a formal public apology to Dr Proudman.”

The letter also expresses “concern and dismay” that the board has initiated disciplinary proceedings, arguing that “allegations undermine the principles of free speech and accountability by silencing criticism.”

It also called on all judges and legal professionals to cancel their membership of the “discriminatory” Garrick Club so that they “adhere to the principles of justice they are sworn to uphold”.

“It is not lost on us that an individual who is critical of the judicial treatment of women is being bullied by an institution that has publicly stated that it wants to end the judicial treatment of women,” the letter states.

Dr. Proudman, who has nearly 85,000 Twitter followers, denies all allegations against her.

talking independent Last year, Dr Proudman lashed out at the Bar Standards Board for failing to take action against colleagues who used abusive language towards her on Twitter.

The lawyer reported more than 50 barristers, the majority of whom were men, to the agency through a series of public messages. She believes the criticism is an “attempt to stop” her from speaking out about violence against women and girls.

But despite being deemed “unpalatable and inflammatory”, the commission said it would not take action because the messages did not meet the threshold for regulatory action.

Tweets sent by currently practicing and retired attorneys, by independentlabeling Dr. Proudman a “c***t,” “w*****,” a “narcissist” and “horrible” and accusing her of being an “idiot.”

The Bar Standards Board said it would not comment on ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

independent The Judiciary Press Office has been contacted for comment.