A Harrogate-based barrister from Exchange Chambers has been appointed as a Crown Court judge.
Ayesha Smart, 34, of Sri Lankan origin, will now sit as a recorder in Crown Courts across Northeast England. She is believed to be the youngest ever black and minority ethnic person to be appointed to this role.
Smart moved to Harrogate with her family when she was 14 and later gained an undergraduate degree in medical sciences from the University of Leeds.
Smart worked as a pathologist at Harrogate District Hospital before converting to law. She secured pupillage, was called to the bar in 2014 and joined Exchange Chambers in Leeds last month, specialising in crime, regulatory and clinical negligence.
Her new position as recorder will see her sitting for at least 30 days a year.
Commenting on her appointment, Smart said: “I’m proud of the achievement. As are my family. I remember my mum commenting when I got the appointment that it made her family’s move from Sri Lanka to the UK all worthwhile.
“As someone that has faced various prejudices in my life and career, it’s positive to showcase that people of colour and women can be just as successful as their white or male counterparts and that youth doesn’t necessarily mean ineptitude.”
She added: “It is a positive step towards increasing diversity amongst the judiciary and inspiring people from all backgrounds to pursue a judicial career.
“We want the composition of the judiciary to reflect the community and modern society we live in, and currently it doesn’t quite cut it – which is reflected in the most recent judicial diversity statistics.”
“The appointment also helps in dispelling the myth that judges have to be more senior, come from a privileged background or have gone to Oxbridge,” she continued. “I hope people will be encouraged to apply when they feel ready to make that next step!”
Image Source: Exchange Chambers
