Barber Chair of Law Centenary Lecture

The Barber Chair of Law was created following an endowment by Henry Barber, a generous solicitor, to the University of Birmingham for that purpose. On 1 October 1924 the first holder of this Chair, Professor Charles Smalley-Baker, took office. Since then, six more Professors have held the post. The current Barber Professor of Law is Professor Nelson Enonchong, FCIArb.

Dame Nicola Davies read law at Birmingham University. Dame Nicola was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1976. Her chambers were Serjeants’ Inn Chambers in London, her specialist field being medical law. In 1992 Dame Nicola was appointed Queen’s Counsel, in 2010, a Justice of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division. Between 2014 and 2017 Dame Nicola was a Presiding Judge of the Circuit in Wales. In 2018 Dame Nicola was appointed to the Court of Appeal. She is the first woman from Wales to hold each of the above appointments. Dame Nicola is one of four co-conveners of the Inns of Court Alliance for Women founded in 2022. Dame Nicola was the Treasurer of Gray’s Inn for 2023. She is the first woman from Wales to be a Treasurer of an Inn of Court in England and Wales.

The event is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, please click on “Register for this event” at the top right hand corner of this page.

The event will be followed by a drinks reception in the Bramall Music Building Rotunda, 1st floor

5:30pm Welcome – Professor Warren Barr, Dean of Birmingham Law School

5:35pm Hugh Carslake, Chair of The Henry Barber Trust

5:45pm Short talk by Professor Ian Scott, KC

6:00pm Short talk by Professor Nelson Enonchong, FCIArb

6:30pm BREAK

6:45pm Keynote Address – The Right Honourable Lady Justice Nicola Davies, DBE

7:45pm DRINKS RECEPTION, Bramall Music Building Rotunda, 1st floor

Host or Publisher University of Birmingham