An upset lawyer has spoken out on Twitter to reveal that she was mistaken for the defendant not once but thrice in the same day while in court.
According to 25-year-old Essex-based barrister Alexandra Wilson, there must be something about her face that makes people fail to realize that she is a lawyer and not a defendant when in court.
“Today I was assumed to be a defendant 3 times and a journalist once (lol),” the young lawyer wrote in her Twitter post.
“There MUST be something about my face that says ‘not a barrister’ because I am literally wearing a black suit like everyone else.”
The Black Women in Law founder added: “I don’t get it. Today it actually upset me a bit but… we move x.”
After the 25-year-old lawyer’s allegations went viral, people were quick to rush to her aid and suggest that the mistake was unacceptable.
“I’m so sorry, Alex. Have you reported it? Sounds like what we’re supposed to now call ‘a training need’ for the staff in question. Completely unacceptable,” The Secret Barrister author wrote.
“I was gonna post a ‘head in hands/despair’ shot but won’t as that changes nothing. You shouldn’t have to put up with situations that your white colleagues are ashamed of. We can only change that if we celebrate, as well as support, our black and BAME colleagues. You rock Ms Wilson,” Professor Jo Delahunty added.
As barrister Barbara Rich suggested, “it’s always depressing to read this and similar accounts” as she asked the young lawyer if she was mistaken for the defendant by members of the public or court staff.
Following the enormous support she has received on Twitter, Wilson came up with an update in which she confirmed she had filed a formal complaint.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has written a super supportive message. It makes me feel hopeful about change and glad that there are so many people who are fed up of this nonsense too,” she wrote. “Also, I have made a formal complaint, thank you to everyone who encouraged that x.”
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