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18 Denning L.J. 51 (2006)
Appellate Advocacy - New Challenges

handle is hein.journals/denlj18 and id is 51 raw text is: THE DENNING LAW JOURNAL

APPELLATE ADVOCACY - NEW CHALLENGES
THE DAME ANN EBSWORTH MEMORIAL LECTURE
LONDON, TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2006
The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG
DAME ANN EBSWORTH REMEMBERED
This lecture honours Dame Ann Ebsworth who died in 2002 of cancer. She
was but sixty-four years of age. 1 As I am the inaugural lecturer, I will record
some personal facts, although her memory will be green for her friends, many of
whom have come to this lecture to remember her and to celebrate her life.
Ann Ebsworth was born on 19 May 1937. Her father was an officer in the
Royal Marines. She was raised a Roman Catholic and derived from her religion
and her parents strong convictions and a sense of public service. She read history
at the University of London where she was known as a formidable debater. In
1962 she was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn. Her practice, which was in
Liverpool, was predominantly criminal with some family work (which increased)
and some civil work (which diminished). She rose to be head of her chambers.
She was known as a considerable opponent, particularly in criminal cases. She
was described as an ... effective and formidable advocate, thorough in
preparation, lucid and courteous in style and entirely unflappable.2
In 1987 she was appointed to the Northern Circuit Bench. It was at that time
that she first met Brenda Hale who had begun training to be an Assistant
Recorder in Liverpool. Baroness Hale has told of how thoroughly intimidated
she felt, especially because of the daunting experience of lunching with the other
judges at St George's Hall. However, Baroness Hale describes how Ann quietly
did her best to look after me and make me feel a little more at home.
After 1978 Ann Ebsworth served as a Recorder in the Crown Court and later
as a Circuit Judge. She did not take Silk. She was promoted to the Queen's
Bench Division in 1993. This was a significant appointment. Dame Elizabeth
Lane had become the first woman appointed to the High Court in 1965. She was
followed by Justices Heilbron, Booth, Butler-Sloss and Bracewell. However,
Justice of the High Court of Australia. The author acknowledges the assistance of Mrs
Lorraine Finlay, Legal Research Officer in the Library of the High Court of Australia, in
the provision of materials used in the preparation of this lecture.
'P Bartle QC note in The Circuiteer, Spring 2005, 20.
2 Address by Sir Mark Hedley at Gray's Inn chapel, 10 April 2002.

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