Charlotte Proudman

Goldsmith Chambers

A strongly feminist barrister, Dr Charlotte Proudman uses her immense talent to advocate for the rights of women.

Last year year she represented Kate Griffiths, MP for Burton, whose ex-husband Andrew Griffiths raped her while she was asleep and subjected her to coercive control. The High Court also found that he subjected her to physical and verbal abuse.

Griffiths waived her right to anonymity in order to campaign to improve the outcomes of those types of cases. It is a tough case to read but an extremely important one because it holds a powerful man accountable for his actions.

Proudman is also a junior research fellow at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where she researches and lectures on gender inequality under the law and female genital mutilation (FGM). She was also instrumental in drafting amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill, introducing FGM Protection Orders and criminalising forced marriage.

She continues her exceptional work in 2022 after recently winning an appeal on a case in which her client made allegations of rape, domestic abuse and coercive control. The case is similar to Griffiths’ but the individuals are not known, showcasing the fact that these sorts of crimes happen to women of all statuses. Proudman is their champion.