Live webchat with political reformer and barrister Helena Kennedy, Tues 13 April, 1-2pm

[CatherineHMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Baroness Helena Kennedy will be at Mumsnet Towers for a webchat tomorrow (Tues) between 1 and 2pm.

A champion of civil liberties and promoter of human rights, Kennedy's work as a barrister has seen her acting in some of the most prominent cases of the last 30 years including the Guildford Four appeal and the bombing of the Israeli embassy. She also chaired an inquiry for the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health into sudden infant death, in the aftermath of miscarriages of justice where mothers were wrongly convicted of murdering their babies.

Helena is also the founder of www.power2010.org.uka campaign group which aims to empower ordinary members of the general public in helping to ensure that the next Parliament makes a commitment to reform the British political system.

If you have any questions for Helena please join us.

what does she think about Tilern DeBique, the young mother who has just won a discrimination case vs the MoD? is that the last bastion crumbling? does it depend on individuals being brave enough to bring an action?

Dear Lulumaam, Hey that was a lovely welcome. It is so nice when someone says something to lovely. Let me assure you I too have my moments when I am embattled and I think 'is it all worth it?' and then I get support from other women like you and it feels great. Thank you. As for the BNP, they wax and wain but are always a presence. I used to do many case when a young lawyer arising out of demonstrations and counter -demonsatrations involving the National Front as they then were. They transmogrify. I think their new scapegoats are Muslims and that will continue to be an issue while their is the terrorist threat and while immigration is an issue. So coming through the recession may dilute their attraction but they will still be around. Love helena

Do you think that the law as a profession is more female-friendly than it once was?

As a (Glaswegian) English law student I'd love to know any advice you have for women entering the profession now.

Dear I love my dog and Aubergine, About the House of Lords - I am for it being elected. When I headed the Power Inquiry people said quite contradictory things in evidence to us. tyhey wanted the House to be elected but they want the People in there to be independent, not party hacks and to have expertise - which is difficult to square because lots of people who are scoentists or doctors or writers or teachers would not put themselves forward for election or have a machinery to compete with the people who would have political party backing. It is hard devising a system to bring good independents through. I think no one who sat in the Commons should be allowed to stand. And I think some way should be found to even out resources of candidates. Btu it can;t be beyond our imaginations. the scandal on expenses - I am clean! did lower public confidence terribly. Have to regain trust - Helena

Dear Susylvester, More women judges - essential. Can only be done by being pro-active about bringing women on - They say women don't apply. I think that is because they do not feel encouraged to do so. I beef on about it all the time. Helena

Do you think that due to the secretive nature of the family courts,that familys are haveing children taken away and adopted. And then have not way of getting the children back if they are proved to be innocent is aceptable in todays socitey?

Totalchaos, Rape convictions are still a serious problem. The problem is less about the law now more about attitudes - of lawyers judges and the general public sitting on juries. there are still terrible views about women desrving what happens if they have drunk too much etc. There should be much more public debate about male violence. Helena

Attenborough, The law has really had a bad deal over the last two decades. I am a firm believer in reform but not by undermining the fundamental principles of law. I thought the changes to the Lord Chancellorship were needed but not the way it was donme. It is a totla mess now. The assault on legal iad is an easy call for politicians - who cares about alleged criminals - but what people don't see is how it undermines the whole system if defendants are not well represented. Some lawyers abused the system so it is an easy attack. Will cost us all in the end. Best decision was intro of Human Rights act - worst? List is too long Helena

Policywonk and ors, I too love Keir Starmer but is one of my boys! He was often my junior is cases and was in chambers with men. He is gorgeous and lovely too. Ken Macdonald the Last DPP was my pupil can you imagine how old all this makes me feel? Helena

Blu, The human rights /act is the way to protect minority rights but Labour have never made strong enough arguments for why it all matters. The Moonfleece ban is a disgrace. H

Where do you stand on the retention for 6 years of DNA evidence for people who are arrested but not even charged?

Also second the question about today's news of the single mother soldier awarded compensation on the grounds of discrimination?

LaDYBLABLAH, I AM NOT A VERY ORTHODOX CATHOLIC! I think the whole scandal of child abuse has rocked the Catholic church and so it should. I want to know more about the Pope's role. I am not his greatest fan because he is so illiberal. I do not like his views on Homosexuality, women in general, women priests, Contraception, ...you get the picture.
I I think there is still a role for Aid but properly directed. Too many peop,e would not survive if we pulled out aid.
I don't like the MaVERICK LABEL BECAUSE IT SUGGESTS A QUIXOTIC RESPONSE TO ISSUES. I AM VERY CONSISTENT. I JUST REFUSE TO SURRENDER MY RIGHT TO INDEPENDENT THINKING. HELENA

I THINK ENGLAND SHOULD DO IT LIKE THE SCOTS DO. I THINK DNA SHOULD BE DESTROYED WHEN PEOPLE ARE ACQUITTED OR WHERE THERE ARE NO CHARGES FOR WANT OF EVIDENCE EXCEPT IN CASES OF EXTREME VIOLENCE AND SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES, WHERE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE OFFENCE THERE SHOULD BE RETENTION OF 3/5 YEARS THEN DESTRUCTION. I MAKE THE EXCEPTION FOR THOSE KIND OF OFFENCES BECAUSE OFFENDERS OFTEN REPEAT THESE KINDS OF OFFENCE AND IT JUSTIFIES A SPECIAL PROCESS. HOWVER, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WILLY NILLY COLLECTION OF DNA FROM ALL YOUNG MEN AS IT IS FALLING VERY HEAVILY ON BLACK MEN WHO ARE HUGELY DISPORPORTIANETLY ON THE COMPUTER.HELENA

NESAROSE AND OTHERS, You asked about secrecy in family courts - I am very unhappy about secrecy in any courts. I recognise that children have to be protected from media coverage but it is possible to have their protection respected while keeping coiurts opne. Secrecy inevitable leads to abuses. I am also unhappy about it in terrorist cases wher it conceals the inadeqaucy of real evidence. Helena

Hello Helena, I know you've spoken about this before (and it's a topic that recurs on MN) but what do you think can or should be done to stop the awful treatment of women and children at Yarlswood detention centre?

Do you think there would be any improvement under a different government?

Thank you.

MmeLindt, I think the cut off at 15 years is about right. There has to come a point when although you feel very connected to the UK you will not be as directly affected by e.g. tax changes or changes to society. Come back and join us. Love H

Thanks. Do you think there should be further safeguards around those cases you mentioned where DNA is kept for longer? DNA is fantastic stuff, but not utterly foolproof and could lead to stretched conclusions of guilt (too much CSI-watching by the jury).

Please can you address the questions about secrecy in the family court?

(and, I think you've hit the caps lock button.)

Pwrsonanongrata, Thank you for raising Yarlswood. I fell out with Labour big time over this issue.I think it is quite wrong to have women and children detained in thses places. The cyncial reason for not leaving them in the community is that there are then camp[aigns by school friends and other mothers which politicians don't like. We have to keep on keeping on about this - and my chambers broings cases whenever we can. Helena

Baroness Kennedy. My son had a very serious reaction to his first five in one vaccination and I prefer as a result of that experience and the experience of friends not to give him the MMR vaccine. However after starting single vaccines Merc have without notice to Parents or doctors withdrawn the mumps vaccine. Many thousands of children are now part vaccinated . The governments lack of intervention appears very irresponsible or are they using this to persue their MMR vacination programme agenda. Where do you stand on the parents right to choose MMR or single vaccinations.

Foreverastudent, The law is definitely more women friendly now because there are so many more of us Thank God. But it is still tough when women have kids - the hours are long and the cases are hard. Howvere, I have LOVED my practice. I have continued to be excited challenged and stimulated by my work - what more could anyone ask. I have learned so much from my clients too. Go for it girl. We need good women in the law. Lots More! Good luck.
Helena

Helena Kennedy - further to your response to MmeLindt, I think that is very unfair. Just because as a UK citizen one does not reside in the UK does not mean that one does not have property and investments in the UK; nor that one never intends to return to live in the UK. As it stands, one can live abroad for many years in a democratic void, with no voting rights anywhere, despite a strong cultural and economic allegiance to one's homeland, the UK.

Table for 3, I chaired the Human Genetics Commission for 8 years and it convinced me that we have to put very real safeguards around DNA databases. The potential fro future use in worrying ways is not far-fetched. Supposing a gene for schizophrenia is identified and there was suddenly an increase in homicides by schizophrenics. could a government take steps to use such info? Our current arrangement allow samples as well as a barcode to be kept I think the samples should be destroyed. Helena

Dear Mumsnetters, I have really enjoyed being on. thank you. Could have stayed all afternoon but have top get to work. Invite me back again and we can try to solve the world's problems. All the best Helena

Well, that was a bit disappointing. Was there a computer malfunction at some point because the answers seemed to come in quite slowly?

Was she shouting at me ?