Elizabeth Lane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Elizabeth Lane
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| Judge of the High Court of Justice | |
| In office 1965–1979 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elizabeth Kathleen Coulborn
9 August 1905 Bowden, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 17 June 1988 (aged 82) Winchester, Hampshire, England |
| Spouse | Randall Lane |
| Occupation | Barrister and judge |
Dame Elizabeth Kathleen Lane (born August 9, 1905 – died June 17, 1988) was a groundbreaking English lawyer and judge. She made history by becoming the first woman to be a judge in the County Court. She was also the first female High Court judge in England. Plus, she was the first woman to become a "bencher," which is a senior member of a legal society.
Early Life and Family
Elizabeth Lane was born in Bowden, Cheshire, England, on August 9, 1905. Her father owned a mill. She was taught at home for a while. She also lived in Switzerland with her family for a year. Later, she went to Twizzletwig School and then Malvern Girls' College. She decided not to go to university.
In 1924, she visited her brother in Montreal, Canada. There, she met Randall Lane. They got married on January 14, 1926, and later lived in Manchester. They had a son named John in 1928.
A Trailblazing Legal Career
In 1936, Elizabeth's husband decided to become a barrister (a type of lawyer). Elizabeth decided to study law at the same time. She joined the Inner Temple in 1937. This is one of the four "Inns of Court" in London, where barristers are trained. She officially became a barrister in 1940. She started working on civil cases, which are legal disputes between people or organizations.
In 1948, she joined a special committee. This group looked into how evidence was used in criminal trials. In 1950, she became a King's Counsel (KC). This is a very important title for a barrister. She was only the third woman in England to achieve this. The first two were Rose Heilbron and Helena Normanton.
First Female Judge
Elizabeth Lane held several important legal roles. She was an Assistant Recorder in Birmingham from 1953 to 1961. She also led Mental Health Tribunals in 1960. From 1961 to 1962, she was a Recorder in Derby.
In 1962, she made history. She was appointed as the first female judge in the County Court. This was a huge step for women in law. Just three years later, in 1965, she broke another barrier. She became the first woman to sit in the High Court. This is one of the most important courts in England. When she joined the High Court, she was also given the title of Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This is like a knighthood for women.
In 1966, she became a "bencher" of the Inner Temple. This made her the first female bencher of any of the Inns of Court. Benchers are senior members who help run these legal societies.
Retirement and Legacy
Elizabeth Lane retired from her role as a High Court judge in 1979. She then moved to Winchester. Even after retiring, she sometimes helped out at the Court of Appeal. She also became an honorary member of the Western Circuit, which is a group of barristers and judges.
In 1986, she became an honorary fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge. She wrote a book about her life called Hear the Other Side, which was published in 1985.
Dame Elizabeth Lane passed away in Winchester on June 17, 1988, at the age of 82. Her amazing career opened doors for many women in the legal world.
