Welcome Session

Keynote: The Honourable Mrs Justice Dobbs DBE

The Honourable Mrs Justice Dobbs, was the first non-white person to be appointed a judge of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. She has many titles and accolades, including Queens Counsel, a doctorate and a Dame.

Linda specialised in criminal law, and as a member of criminal set at 18 Red Lion Court, her practice was predominantly in crime (white collar crime, Customs and Excise offences and serious sexual offences, acting for both prosecution and defence). She had considerable experience of various professional disciplinary tribunals, including sitting as a Legal Assessor for the General Medical, General Dental and General Osteopath Councils. She also acted pro bono in Privy Council, defending those facing the death sentence. She became a Queen’s Counsel in 1998.  

She was a member of a number of Bar Council committees, including General Management, Race Relations (of which she was previously Chair) and International Relations (Chair of the Africa Sub-Committee). She was also a past Chair of the Professional Standards Committee and the Criminal Bar Association, standing down from the latter when she was appointed a High Court judge in 2004. She was appointed to the Queens Bench Division, and when not on circuit, sits predominantly in the Administrative Court and the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal.

Diane Burleigh, ILEX Chief Exective

Diane Burleigh is Chief Executive of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), a post she has held since 1998.

Admitted as a solicitor in 1981, she became a partner with Balderston Warren in Letchworth, Hertfordshire specialising in criminal and family law. In 1988 she moved to the Law Society’s Legal Advisors Office assisting with the conduct of the Society’s litigation and advising members on difficult practice issues and advising internally.

She became Head of Court Business and Deputy Director of Policy at the Law Society with responsibility for a team providing advice to the Society and the profession on law reform and changes to practice. She was further given responsibility for the Law Society Groups and equal opportunities in the profession.

She has lectured widely, particularly in relation to the law and regulations on money laundering and was responsible for the Law Society’s first guidance on the subject in 1994. Diane is a part-time Legal Chair of the Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunal.

Judith Gordon-Nichols F.Inst.L.Ex. ILEX President

Judith Gordon- Nichols is President of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX). She has been an ILEX Council Member for the South West since 2004 and has a particular interest in education and legal services reform within ILEX.

Judith has been a Fellow of the Institute since 1991 and is a Senior Legal Executive at the Bristol offices of the national law firm, Beachcroft LLP, where she handles property recovery claims.

Previously, she handled Defendant personal injury claims and set up a successful motor recovery team as well as supervising the small claims/fast track motor and property recoveries team.

With over 20 years experience she has considerable experience of handling motor claims and personal injury claims for a number of major insurers. Judith joined Beachcroft LLP in 2002, but began her career in 1979 with Bevan Ashford before moving to John A Neil, Direct Line Insurance, Eversheds and Palser Grossman respectively.

Judith lives in Bristol with her partner, a retired RAF officer who is now an antiques dealer. Away from her legal desk Judith enjoys cooking, reading, travel, American television crime drama and spending time with her partner, family and friends.