Lorna Cole: Pioneering barrister remembered

‘CITY TREASURE’: Barrister Lorna Cole

By Simon Bristow

Tributes have been paid to “trailblazing” lawyer Lorna Cole, one of the first female barristers on the North-Eastern Circuit, and an “institution” in Hull, where she co-founded new Chambers and helped restore the reputation of the Bar in the city.

Miss Cole died in August aged 93.

Friends, family and former colleagues of Miss Cole gathered at Hull Crown Court yesterday for a eulogy, with many more watching by video link, including members of the judiciary.

They came to honour the life of a remarkable woman, a talented and dedicated barrister who had “an impact on society”, but was also “kind”, “generous” and “a real people person”.

Such was Miss Cole’s contribution that she received a standing ovation at an historic dinner held by the circuit in Leeds to celebrate the Centenary of Women at the Bar on November 15, 2019. That was 12 years after her retirement from a 56-year career at the Bar.

His Honour Judge John Thackray QC, Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, and Resident Judge Humberside, who led the eulogy, noted that Miss Cole was said to have been “in sparkling form” on that occasion.

It was, the judge said, “a far cry indeed from that evening nearly 70 years before when, Cinderella-like, she had been excluded from the pleasures of Mess and forced to eat a solitary meal in a corridor”.

The judge addressed his remarks to barrister Elizabeth Shaw, one of Miss Cole’s former pupils, and began by saying: “Miss Shaw, we are foregathered in this court this morning to celebrate the life of and acknowledge the sad passing of one of the most loved and respected characters of the legal profession here in Hull, indeed of the North-Eastern Circuit - I am speaking, of course, of Miss Lorna Cole.”

He continued: “All present remotely or in person will, I know, have their own fond memories of Lorna, or as His Honour Tom Cracknell referred to her, and I quote, ‘An institution in Hull – a city treasure’.”

Miss Cole started life in Leeds and went to local schools and, despite her education being disrupted by the Second World War, was accepted by Leeds University, where she was the only woman in a class of about 40 reading Law. 

Having achieved a First-Class Honours Degree, she then read for the Bar and was Called by Lincoln’s Inn in 1950.

Miss Cole completed her first six months in London, where pupillages for women were “very rare”, the court heard. She then moved back to Leeds where she obtained pupillage in one of the only two sets of chambers that allowed female pupillage.

Her second six months was with Judge Jack Walker and Judge Richard Hutchinson, whom she later accompanied to set up new chambers in Hull at the instigation of circuit leaders.

“Their aim was to rescue the reputation of the Bar in Hull, which had been damaged by the antics of a couple of local counsel,” Judge Thackray said. “Needless to say, they succeeded triumphantly and Lorna was very much part of that.”

Miss Cole was elected to the circuit on May 1, 1951.

Judge Thackray said: “In those days women were still not allowed to dine in Mess; and Lorna would recall how, on the evening in question, she had had to eat her meal in a corridor before being admitted briefly to state her pretensions before an assembly of men enjoying their port and cigars. 

“It must have been a daunting experience for a young woman completely on her own. Nevertheless, Lorna would always insist to her pupils Liz Shaw and Elaine March that there was no such thing as discrimination against women at the Bar.”

The judge told the court: “Lorna must have been one of the first female barristers, if not in the country then certainly on the North-Eastern circuit.

“Lorna can quite rightly be regarded as one of the trailblazers, one of the pioneers of women at the Bar. It goes without saying that the path of those who followed was made so much easier because of the inevitable struggles Lorna encountered during those early years.

“Lorna no doubt had to cope with prejudice and sometimes hostility from all quarters, including the judiciary, and in particular His Honour Judge Stephen, who was, I’m told, a cantankerous anti-feminist.

"The profession was very much the poorer during those early years of male dominance. And it therefore follows that we all owe Lorna a debt of gratitude for having the courage, fortitude and determination to establish a career in such difficult circumstances.”

As a barrister, Miss Cole was “a force to be reckoned with”. She also, the court heard, “cared very deeply about people – about her family, about her friends, about members of her Chambers – whom she considered as family. And about the people she represented”.

Judge Thackray said Miss Cole knew that “sometimes those she represented had unrealistic expectations”.

“She always said that you can tell when a case has been settled properly – as everyone is unhappy,” he said.

The judge told the court: “Such was her dedication to her career, that on one occasion when she slipped in the snow and broke an arm, she refused hospital treatment so that she could carry on with the case in which she was engaged; and as a result she developed a permanent loss of function in the arm.”

At one stage in her career, Miss Cole “received intimations that an application to be an assistant recorder would be favourably regarded, but she never aspired to be anything more than she in fact was”, the judge said.

“The truth is she loved the circuit life,” Judge Thackray said. “She loved Chambers and, apart from her husband and family, nothing gave her greater pleasure than her work.

“She was incredibly hospitable and would think nothing of hosting Chambers parties in her house, or providing accommodation for those out-of-town who wished to visit.”

Miss Cole put her practice on hold for ten years to bring up her children, Sophie and Paul. But she returned, and in 1979 became the Head of Wilberforce Chambers.

The judge said: “She thereby became the first female Head of Chambers on the Circuit - possibly in England and Wales. When I tell you who the other impressive candidates were you will appreciate no doubt what a formidable character Lorna undoubtedly was.

“They included: Peter Hepple Queens Counsel, later to become His Honour Judge Hepple Queens Counsel; Michael Mettyear, later to become His Honour Judge Mettyear, the Recorder of Hull and East Riding; Bernard Gateshill; John Feinstein; Tom Cracknell, later to become His Honour Judge Cracknell; Ashraf Khan; and Keith Lawrence.”

“During her 17 years as Head of Chambers she kept all of the men in good order, even Ashraf Khan,”, the judge added, to laughter from those assembled.

During her reign, Chambers - by now known as Wilberforce Chambers - moved into impressive new premises which were formally opened by the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay of Clashfern.

Miss Cole was also “very cultured”, enjoying theatre, travel, and collecting antiques, the court heard. She was also a Patron of the Friends of Ferens Art Gallery.

Judge Thackray said: “The clerks couldn’t understand why she would insist on doing a relatively small case in Lincoln rather than a more lucrative case elsewhere.

 “The reason was, well, she liked going to the whisky shop in Lincoln to get supplies for her nightcap. More than that, she liked going to Helmswell [antiques centre] on her way back from Lincoln.”

The judge said: “Miss Shaw, there are many wonderful memories and stories about Lorna, and if I were to recount them all I think we would be here until this time next week.

“And so I will simply conclude by acknowledging what is obvious to all of us here in person or remotely - Lorna was without doubt a remarkable lawyer and a remarkable human being. Whilst we celebrate her incredible life she will be greatly missed.”

Miss Shaw said it would have been Miss Cole’s birthday the previous day, “so it’s very fitting we celebrate her life today”.

She described her mentor as a “pioneer”, a “trailblazer” and a “legend”, and said she had been “extremely blessed to have started my career under the careful guidance of Miss Lorna Cole”.

She said she remembered her as a “striking, tall, majestic figure” who was always “immaculately and elegantly dressed”.

Miss Shaw said Miss Cole was “matriarchal” as Head of Chambers, which she said had hosted a “bevy of talent that resulted in many judicial appointments”.

She also said Miss Cole could be “direct and blunt”, and “was probably always right”.

Miss Shaw recalled a personal conversation with Miss Cole in which she was informed: “I told you not to marry that man”, which Miss Shaw said was “in reference to my now ex-husband”.

Miss Shaw said: “I know how much she loved and adored her own family.”

Miss Cole’s husband, Calman [known as Carl] Rosen, who died in his 60s, had established Graham and Rosen Solicitors in Hull.

Miss Shaw said Miss Cole “missed”, “loved” and “adored” her husband, and insisted they had never had a row.

“I’m sure she would be embarrassed but honoured by everything we’ve said today,” she said.

Miss Shaw said she remembered Miss Cole as “unique”, “mischievous” and “witty”.

Solicitor David Rosenberg said he had known Miss Cole since childhood through his parents, and said it was a “great honour” to be invited to speak about “someone I’ve known all my life”.

Mr Rosenberg said it was “tragic” that Miss Cole’s husband had died at such a young age, and said his loss had a “massive impact” on her.

He described Miss Cole as having “bright red hair and even brighter red lipstick”, and said: “Everyone thought she was wonderful, both as a person and as a barrister”.

Mr Rosenberg said: “Lorna was kind and generous; she was a real people person. She had an impact on society; very few people have achieved that.”