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04
Jun 2023
Pioneering young Harrogate barrister appointed judge
A Harrogate barrister has been announced as the youngest ever black and minority ethnic crown court judge in the UK.
Ayesha Smart, 34, can now sit as a Recorder in crown courts across the north east of England.
As well as being the youngest non-white person to take up the role, she will be the third youngest person from any background to be selected.
The process of becoming a judge is complex, involving two sets of exams, a role play exercise and an interview – and the final approval has to be given by the King.
Ayesha told the Stray Ferret:
Ayesha, who lives near Killinghall, attended Ashville College when she moved to Nidderdale with her family when she was 14.
She went on to study A levels in biology, chemistry and maths, as well as music which she sat early, at St Aidan's and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form, before completing an undergraduate degree in medical sciences at the University of Leeds.
Her first professional job was as a pathologist at Harrogate District Hospital, but she decided to turn to the law and completed a conversion course in Leeds.
Quickly securing a pupilage place to complete her training, she was called to the bar in 2014, and has since been working in crown courts around Yorkshire.
Her appointment as Recorder, confirmed on Wednesday this week, means she will undertake an induction before sitting in the role for at least 30 days a year.
Ayesha says she is not nervous about the appointment, adding:
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To begin with, Ayesha will continue to work as a barrister part-time. She can then decide whether to continue the dual role or move to be a full-time judge.
She hopes she will help the justice service to tackle a huge backlog of cases that has built up in recent years. She added:
And that is not the only way in which Ayesha hopes to make a difference.
As a pioneering BAME woman, she is aware that her presence will be noticed by the people in front of her.
She said:
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