March 6, 2026
As we mark International Women’s Day this Sunday and reflect on this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” we are proud to reflect on the individual excellence of our female members in Chambers and the collective strength they create through their willingness to mentor, support and champion one another. At a time when the Bar faces real challenges around the retention and progression of women, Red Lion Chambers stands proud of the measurable impact of our culture and our commitment to supporting women practising criminal law. Here at RLC, the impact of “Give to Gain” is evident:
– This month, Red Lion Chambers will be the professional home of 9 female Silks, following the appointment of Felicia Davy and Serena Gates. A third of our Silks will be women, against a national average of 21% and against an average across leading criminal sets of 27%.
– We are home to 37 female juniors, 42% of our total, evenly spread across the Call bands and ahead of the national average, reflecting our commitment to developing and retaining women throughout their careers.
– Gillian Jones KC was appointed co-Head of Chambers in 2018, the first woman to lead Red Lion Chambers, and she remains one of the very few women leading a major set in England and Wales.
– Riel Karmy-Jones KC became the sixth Chair of The Criminal Bar Association to come from Red Lion Chambers and the third woman from Chambers to hold this post, following in the footsteps of Dame Linda Dobbs DBE and HHJ Angela Rafferty KC.
– This month Associate Tenant, Professor Susan Edwards KC(Hon) will become Chambers’ first female Honorary KC- in recognition of her exceptional contribution to legal education and criminal law.
-We are also proud to champion the women in our staff team, who make up 50% of those working in practice management, fee collection and marketing.
– Chambers continues to champion women beyond the Bar and across the wider community through our long‑standing support of charities such as Clean Break Theatre Company, East London Business Alliance, PAN Intercultural Arts and Legally Lifelong.
Gillian Jones KC, Co-Head of Chambers said:
“At Red Lion Chambers, our strength in depth comes from the fact that women are represented at every level. We want women to come to the Bar and immerse themselves in a culture that enables them to progress and feel supported as they move onto senior roles. This year we are proud to stand behind IWD’s campaign, Give to Gain, as a shared commitment to women’s futures — within the Bar and far beyond it — driving our determination to help shape a society that truly serves women everywhere.”
