Former senior judge on the Supreme Court of England and Wales, Lord Jonathan Sumption, discusses his career, high profile cases, and views on achieving gender equality in the judiciary. He also reflects on the 2019 prorogation case and his criticism of lockdowns during the pandemic. Lord Sumption shares insights on preparing for advocacy, the art of cross-examination, and his passion for history and the arts.
Lord Jonathan Sumption began his career as an academic historian and later transitioned to law for higher income and fulfillment.
Cross-examination played a crucial role in the Abramovich and Berasovsky case, highlighting the significance of advocacy in the legal profession.
While diversity in the judiciary is essential, Lord Sumption emphasized the need for a broader range of candidates while considering the exceptional qualities required for appellate court judges.
Deep dives
Lord Sumson's Career Shift from Academic Historian to Barrister
Lord Jonathan Sumson, a former senior judge who sat on the Supreme Court of England and Wales, discussed his career journey, which began as an academic historian. After four years of being a research fellow at Morgan College, Oxford, Lord Sumson decided to change careers primarily due to the desire for higher income and a sense of wanting more fulfillment. He joined the bar and eventually became involved in high-profile cases such as the Abramovich case.
Lord Sumson's Enjoyment of Advocacy and Favorite Cases
Lord Sumson expressed his enjoyment of advocacy, describing it as where the 'magic' is in the legal profession. He highlighted the significance of cross-examination in the Abramovich and Berasovsky case, where he cross-examined Berasovsky for nine days in a fact-based case without much documentary evidence. While Lord Sumson admitted to not having a favorite case, he regarded the Abramovich and Berasovsky case as enjoyable despite having no legal intricacies.
Diversity in the Judiciary and Challenges Faced
Lord Sumson offered insights on the issue of diversity in the judiciary, specifically regarding the representation of women and ethnic minorities. He acknowledged the importance of diversity at all levels of the judiciary but cautioned against solely focusing on the number of diverse judges in the Supreme Court, as the qualities required for appellate court judges are exceptional and not commonly found. He emphasized the need for a broader range of candidates, including women and ethnic minorities, in order to ensure a more diverse judiciary while also considering the challenges of balancing that with the exceptional qualities required for such positions.
Educational Disadvantage and Ethnic Minorities
The podcast episode discusses the issue of educational disadvantage faced by some ethnic minorities, which contributes to a lower dropout rate compared to women. The speaker acknowledges that the reasons for this discrepancy are not entirely clear and that there are various explanations. The problem of educational disadvantage negatively affects career opportunities for ethnic minorities, particularly in terms of university and further education. While the speaker does not claim to have a definitive answer, they recognize the existence of this problem and the need for solutions to address it.
Criticism of Lockdown Measures and Government Approach
The podcast also covers the speaker's critique of the lockdown rules implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's approach to handling the crisis. The speaker highlights concerns about the authoritarian nature of the government's decisions and the lack of consideration given to the collateral consequences of lockdown measures. They express the belief that the government did not adequately analyze the economic, social, and health implications of these measures and instead relied heavily on scientific guidance without proper examination. The speaker argues that speaking out against these issues is important, even if it goes against the principle of avoiding controversy as a retired judge.
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lord Jonathan Sumption
Lord Sumption is a former senior judge who sat on the Supreme Court of England and Wales.
Sally and Lord Sumption reflect on his career, the cases he enacted on as a barrister, including the Abramovich case, and why Lord Sumption once said it will take 50 years to achieve true equality at the bar. Sally and Lord Sumption also discuss the 2019 prorogation case, although he did not act on this case he shares his perspective.
During the pandemic Lord Sumption spoke out against the lockdowns when asked to comment by the BBC programme “The World at One”. He explains to Sally the reasoning behind his views and where he believes the government went wrong.
A former academic, Lord Sumption has authored several books and specialises in history. Sally speaks to him about his life outside of his work and his passion for the arts.
Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
