Birmingham Law School Marks 100 Years of the Barber Chair of Law
The Barber Chair of Law was created following an endowment by Sir Henry Barber to the University of Birmingham for that purpose. On 1 October 1924 the first holder of this Chair, Professor Charles Smalley-Baker, took office. Since then, six more Professors have held the post. The current Barber Chair of Law is Professor Nelson Enonchong, FCIArb.
As part of the centenary celebrations, on 02 October 2024, the School welcomed the Right Honourable Lady Justice Nicola Davies, DBE, who delivered the Barber Chair of Law Centenary Lecture. Over 200 people attended the event which included a series of talks, concluding with Dame Nicola’s inspiring address entitled ‘A Life in the Law’. Other distinguished speakers included Hugh Carslake, the Chairman of The Henry Barber Trust, Professor Ian Scott, KC (Hon), Barber Chair of Law 1978-2000, and Professor Nelson Enonchong.
The one hundredth anniversary of the Barber Chair of Law is an important milestone for Birmingham Law School. I am delighted that our celebrations of this important anniversary have culminated with these fascinating talks. I am particularly pleased that the inspiring keynote address was delivered by an outstanding judge who happens to be an alumna of Birmingham Law School.
Professor Warren Barr, Dean of Birmingham Law School
The current Barber Chair of Law, Professor Nelson Enonchong, said:
It is a privilege to hold this prestigious post of Barber Chair of Law. It has been such a pleasure listening to all the captivating presentations this evening. As we celebrate the centenary of the Barber Chair of Law, I hope that in the next one hundred years and beyond, Barber Professors of Law will continue to contribute to the delivery of outstanding legal education and world-class research that will contribute to shape the development of the law by the judiciary and the legislature in the UK and internationally.
Professor Nelson Enonchong
The Right Honourable Lady Justice Nicola Davies read law at the University of Birmingham, and her keynote speech spoke to where her distinguished career path led following her graduation. She fielded questions from students. Dame Nicola remarked:
It was an honour to be invited to give the keynote address. Returning to the university, where I spent three particularly happy and formative years, was poignant. Engaging with the students, so bright and enthusiastic, was great. Meeting members of the academic staff was so interesting. My impression: Birmingham Law School, its staff and students, are thriving. A truly memorable occasion.
Right Honourable Lady Justice Nicola Davies
Dame Nicola was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1976. Her chambers were Serjeants’ Inn Chambers in London, her specialist field being medical law. In 1992 Dame Nicola was appointed Queen’s Counsel, in 2010, a Justice of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division. Between 2014 and 2017 Dame Nicola was a Presiding Judge of the Circuit in Wales. In 2018 Dame Nicola was appointed to the Court of Appeal. She is the first woman from Wales to hold each of the above appointments. Dame Nicola is one of four co-conveners of the Inns of Court Alliance for Women founded in 2022. Dame Nicola was the Treasurer of Gray’s Inn for 2023. She is the first woman from Wales to be a Treasurer of an Inn of Court in England and Wales.
The audience comprised of University of Birmingham staff, solicitors, barristers, students of Birmingham Law School, and other invited guests. Some of the Law students commented on the keynote address and the benefits they took from it:
Listening to Lady Justice Davies’ inspirational account of her career path has broadened my understanding and perspective on a career in law. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet and learn from her.
Huange Zhang
I was fascinated to learn about Dame Nicola’s time at Birmingham, and how she overcame self-doubt: sticking with her Law degree, rather than switching to history. I left the talk feeling motivated and inspired to overcome my imposter syndrome and try my best with Law.
Poppy Palmer-Malins