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Barbara Calvert Barbara Calvert obituary
(35 minutes later)
Despite being 35 before she was called to the bar, Barbara Calvert QC, Lady Lowry, who has died aged 89, became not just a highly respected legal practitioner, but achieved a number of trailblazing firsts, and was an inspiration to other women. In the 1970s, increasingly concerned about the number of young people who were unable to get a place in chambers from which to practise, she decided to do something about it: in 1974, she set up her own chambers, Four Brick Court, to help those starting out, so becoming the first female head of chambers.Despite being 35 before she was called to the bar, Barbara Calvert QC, Lady Lowry, who has died aged 89, became not just a highly respected legal practitioner, but achieved a number of trailblazing firsts, and was an inspiration to other women. In the 1970s, increasingly concerned about the number of young people who were unable to get a place in chambers from which to practise, she decided to do something about it: in 1974, she set up her own chambers, Four Brick Court, to help those starting out, so becoming the first female head of chambers.
In 1986, she became the first female QC to be appointed a full-time chair of Industrial Tribunals (having been a deputy since 1974). She also sat as a recorder and deputy high court judge. Following her retirement, in 2001 she became chair of the Grandparents’ Association, which works on behalf of grandparents who are separated from their grandchildren.In 1986, she became the first female QC to be appointed a full-time chair of Industrial Tribunals (having been a deputy since 1974). She also sat as a recorder and deputy high court judge. Following her retirement, in 2001 she became chair of the Grandparents’ Association, which works on behalf of grandparents who are separated from their grandchildren.
Barbara was called to the bar in 1959. Her first pupil master (the experienced practitioner who oversees a trainee barrister) was Sir Frank Layfield, a planning lawyer, and her second was Peter Ripman, a personal injury practitioner. This was not the most obvious grounding for someone who would join the chambers of John Platts-Mills, the leftwing QC, and who would build her reputation in family law, but Barbara was soon perpetually busy, and was said to treat her clients like royalty. But she really wanted to prove that she could do other work as well and began doing personal injury cases and other work for trade unions.Barbara was called to the bar in 1959. Her first pupil master (the experienced practitioner who oversees a trainee barrister) was Sir Frank Layfield, a planning lawyer, and her second was Peter Ripman, a personal injury practitioner. This was not the most obvious grounding for someone who would join the chambers of John Platts-Mills, the leftwing QC, and who would build her reputation in family law, but Barbara was soon perpetually busy, and was said to treat her clients like royalty. But she really wanted to prove that she could do other work as well and began doing personal injury cases and other work for trade unions.
I first met Barbara at Easter 1970. My pupil master had suddenly decided to retire two months before the end of my pupillage and persuaded Barbara to take me on. For me, it was a piece of amazing good fortune. Not only did it shape my career, because she fought to get me a tenancy in chambers, but it began a lasting friendship.I first met Barbara at Easter 1970. My pupil master had suddenly decided to retire two months before the end of my pupillage and persuaded Barbara to take me on. For me, it was a piece of amazing good fortune. Not only did it shape my career, because she fought to get me a tenancy in chambers, but it began a lasting friendship.
In 1975, Barbara was made a QC. Her career continued its upward momentum. She was the first female QC to take a case to the European court of human rights, arguing that the UK government was in breach of the convention by failing to give parents any legal right to apply for contact with their children who were in the care of a local authority. This successful challenge, in 1987, led to a change in the law.In 1975, Barbara was made a QC. Her career continued its upward momentum. She was the first female QC to take a case to the European court of human rights, arguing that the UK government was in breach of the convention by failing to give parents any legal right to apply for contact with their children who were in the care of a local authority. This successful challenge, in 1987, led to a change in the law.
In 1977, still concerned about the young barristers who, having completed their pupillage, were unable to obtain seats in chambers, she supported an application by six of them to set up their own chambers, 2 Plowden Buildings. Contrary to the prediction of one law lord that “the kiddies’ venture would fail in six months” the set is still going strong (now as 1 Pump Court).In 1977, still concerned about the young barristers who, having completed their pupillage, were unable to obtain seats in chambers, she supported an application by six of them to set up their own chambers, 2 Plowden Buildings. Contrary to the prediction of one law lord that “the kiddies’ venture would fail in six months” the set is still going strong (now as 1 Pump Court).
In 1982, Barbara was elected a bencher (a senior member) of Middle Temple. None of her other achievements gave her as much pleasure as that. She became hugely popular with the students and her fellow benchers, serving on several committees. She was appointed reader in 2001 and delivered her reading, Sex – Does it Really Matter?, on the history of women at the bar, concluding by answering that question with: “Yes in your private lives but no longer in your professional lives. There is no height a woman cannot scale”.In 1982, Barbara was elected a bencher (a senior member) of Middle Temple. None of her other achievements gave her as much pleasure as that. She became hugely popular with the students and her fellow benchers, serving on several committees. She was appointed reader in 2001 and delivered her reading, Sex – Does it Really Matter?, on the history of women at the bar, concluding by answering that question with: “Yes in your private lives but no longer in your professional lives. There is no height a woman cannot scale”.
Those who knew Barbara tend not to remember her achievements. They remember her energy and zest for life. She was full of laughter and was incredibly generous, not only with her money and time – she also had great generosity of spirit. She loved entertaining and her hospitality was legendary. But her kindness covered a steely core. She had firm principles, fierce loyalty, determination, courage and great wisdom.Those who knew Barbara tend not to remember her achievements. They remember her energy and zest for life. She was full of laughter and was incredibly generous, not only with her money and time – she also had great generosity of spirit. She loved entertaining and her hospitality was legendary. But her kindness covered a steely core. She had firm principles, fierce loyalty, determination, courage and great wisdom.
Barbara was born in Leeds, the daughter of Albert Parker, a distinguished chemical engineer, and his wife, Lilian. It was a great regret to Barbara that she did not inherit her mother’s beautiful singing voice, and any early thoughts of following her father’s career path were cut short when, in the sixth form of St Helen’s school, Northwood, in north-west London, she changed from sciences to the arts. She went on to read economics at the London School of Economics.Barbara was born in Leeds, the daughter of Albert Parker, a distinguished chemical engineer, and his wife, Lilian. It was a great regret to Barbara that she did not inherit her mother’s beautiful singing voice, and any early thoughts of following her father’s career path were cut short when, in the sixth form of St Helen’s school, Northwood, in north-west London, she changed from sciences to the arts. She went on to read economics at the London School of Economics.
In 1948, she married John Calvert, a civil engineer specialising in sewers and drains. Without his unfailing support, she would not have achieved all that she did. They had a son, Paul, who became an orthopaedic surgeon and a daughter, Sandy, a neonatologist. After John’s death in 1987, in 1994 Barbara married Lord (Robbie) Lowry, the former chief justice of Northern Ireland. She would give hilarious descriptions of their courtship, accompanied as they were by members of the Special Branch. Following his death in 1999, Barbara established a student scholarship in his memory at Middle Temple.In 1948, she married John Calvert, a civil engineer specialising in sewers and drains. Without his unfailing support, she would not have achieved all that she did. They had a son, Paul, who became an orthopaedic surgeon and a daughter, Sandy, a neonatologist. After John’s death in 1987, in 1994 Barbara married Lord (Robbie) Lowry, the former chief justice of Northern Ireland. She would give hilarious descriptions of their courtship, accompanied as they were by members of the Special Branch. Following his death in 1999, Barbara established a student scholarship in his memory at Middle Temple.
She was the first female QC to be elected a bencher of the Inns of Court of Northern Ireland, and was also a freeman of the City of London, a liveryman of the Company of Arbitrators, and a member of the Company of Water Conservators.She was the first female QC to be elected a bencher of the Inns of Court of Northern Ireland, and was also a freeman of the City of London, a liveryman of the Company of Arbitrators, and a member of the Company of Water Conservators.
Paul died in 2005. Barbara is survived by Sandy and by four grandchildren.Paul died in 2005. Barbara is survived by Sandy and by four grandchildren.
• Barbara Adamson Calvert, Lady Lowry, lawyer and campaigner, born 30 April 1926; died 22 July 2015• Barbara Adamson Calvert, Lady Lowry, lawyer and campaigner, born 30 April 1926; died 22 July 2015