Episode 14 with Her Honour Judge Alison Raeside

This month we have Her Honour Judge Alison Raeside on our podcast. Alison is a Circuit Judge and was the first sitting Judge in the UK to take maternity leave so has pathed the way for us all. Alison has had four children, with her final son being born when she was 47 (when her eldest was 16). It is such an honour to hear from Alison and her experiences, including how to get on in a male dominated environment with limited support (including no maternity leave policy or pay, and no female loos!). Alison was often the only woman in the room and, as she says, there was more chance of being in the Supreme Court if you were called “David” than if you were a woman.

Do listen to hear all of Alison’s practical tips, including her discovery that commuting is a “complete waste of time” and that you should be a “submarine parent”! Alison is passionate about allowing flexibility and working from home, including for court hearings. Alison also touches on how important it is that there are more women Judges to ensure that our law-makers and enforcers reflect society.

Alison is hugely inspiring in terms of how she has navigated a successful career alongside parenthood and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.