New challenges and the Old Bailey at Saturday Series

Published On Mon 9 Apr 2018 by Jonathan Watson

One of Britain’s leading legal experts will return to her home city as the latest guest speaker at the University of Dundee’s Saturday Series.

A graduate in both English and Scots Law from Dundee, Judge Anuja Dhir QC is the first non-white circuit judge at the Old Bailey and will talk about her career at the top of the legal profession and the challenges she has faced in getting there.

Having tried cases involving terrorism and murder, she will also provide a first-hand account of life at the heart of the judicial system, and the issues facing both it and wider society.

She will deliver her talk ‘Against All Odds’ at the University’s Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, on Saturday 14 April.

Judge Dhir said: “Old Bailey judges are confronted with some of the most pressing issues in our society.

“I want to provide an insight into the work that I do and also talk about my own life, from a pupil at Harris Academy to an Old Bailey judge.

“I also want to talk about the experiences faced by people from different ethnic and social backgrounds, and the progress that has been made in changing attitudes.

“There has been incredible progress in society since I attended school and it is important we highlight these so we can encourage future generations to fulfil their potential.”

Judge Dhir studied English and Scots law at Dundee having been told at school to consider pursuing a career in hairdressing.

Graduating in 1988, she moved to London with a Gray’s Inn Scholarship, passing her bar exams and soon finding herself prosecuting and defending in serious criminal cases at a time when many of her peers were white, privately educated men.

After becoming a full-time circuit judge in 2012, she was appointed as a judge at the Old Bailey last April.

Judge Dhir is the latest of this year’s guest speakers at the 2018 Saturday Series, the oldest continuous free series of public talks in Scotland.

The event takes place from 6 – 7pm, and free tickets can be booked online via the university website at www.dundee.ac.uk/saturdayseries.

The audience is advised that overflow theatres may be in use with the main theatre filled on a first come, first seated basis.

The event will be followed by a drinks reception.

For media enquiries contact:
Jonathan Watson
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 381489
Email: j.s.watson@dundee.ac.uk