Lawyer who started her career with work experience aged 15 becomes UK's youngest ever female judge at just 31

A woman who began her career in law as a 15-year-old on work experience has become the country's youngest ever female judge.

Briony Clarke, 31, was sworn in as a deputy district judge at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.  Her swift ascent has seen her stay at the same Essex firm where she first did a work placement as a teenager, Taylor Haldane Barlex LLP (THB) in Chelmsford.

She was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2009, became an accredited Duty Solicitor in 2010, an associate at THB in 2013, and a partner there in 2014. As as he took her judicial oaths yesterday, Judge Charles Gratwicke described her as "one of our own."

Praising her for her achievement he added : "It's nice to have someone from our own community, embarking on the same career that we have all at some stage had to launch ourselves into."

Commenting on how young she was to achieve what she has he said her compulsory retirement date would be in January 2056.

"It's a long time. It just goes to show how young you are and how long a career you have. Many congratulations. Enjoy it," he said.

The youngest ever lawyer to become a judge in the UK is Richard Wright QC who was made a deputy district judge at the age of 29 in 2006. 

A spokesman for THB said: "We believe she is the youngest female applicant to have been successful.

"It is without doubt an extraordinary personal achievement and the partnership is absolutely delighted for her. Briony will continue her practice and sit as a Deputy District Judge part time."