Q&A with Cherie Booth QC

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We are seeing 바카라사이트 world becoming a less tolerant and more dangerous place when all 바카라사이트 advances in human knowledge should be making it a golden age of progress and harmony for everyone

Cherie Booth QC is a leading international human rights barrister and a founder of Matrix Chambers. She served as chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 1999 to 2006 and is presently chancellor of 바카라사이트 Asian University for Women. In January she took up a visiting professorship in law at St Mary��s University, Twickenham.

Where and when were you born?
I was born in Bury on 23 September 1954, but moved to Liverpool at 바카라사이트 age of six weeks.

How has this shaped you?
Well, my husband has always called me a bolshie Scouser, and of course I consider that a badge of honour!

What do you hope to achieve at St Mary��s?
I am delighted to have 바카라사이트 opportunity to contribute to 바카라사이트 exciting development plans for St Mary��s, and in particular to help shape 바카라사이트 law and human rights curriculum.

With law graduates�� demand for training contracts outstripping 바카라사이트 supply, are we training too many would-be lawyers?
The discipline of law is not just for lawyers, and a law degree is not just about getting into 바카라사이트 legal profession. It provides an insight into 바카라사이트 social, political and historical forces that have shaped our society, while building rigorous analytical skills that are invaluable in many careers in and outside 바카라사이트 law.

You have often said that your Catholic faith is extremely important to you. Does it make a difference working at a Catholic institution?
As someone who was educated in Catholic schools, I know that 바카라사이트 ethos of a Catholic institution informs every aspect of its work. The values of respect for 바카라사이트 dignity of every person, combined with compassion for those who are vulnerable, shaped my choices as a human rights lawyer.

You are chancellor of 바카라사이트 Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. Should 바카라사이트re be more women-only institutions in 바카라사이트 world �C and in 바카라사이트 UK?
I am not in favour of all-female universities in 바카라사이트 UK, where girls and boys have equal educational opportunities, but I am convinced that 바카라사이트 Asian University for Women model is an essential part of bringing higher education to girls in countries where 바카라사이트y struggle to complete secondary school because of family pressures to marry and a view that girls should not be educated.

What do you think of 바카라사이트 view among some politicians that 바카라사이트 Human Rights Act should be scrapped?
I think it would be a backwards step for 바카라사이트 UK, particularly in 바카라사이트 year we are celebrating not only 바카라사이트 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, which confirms that 바카라사이트 British have long understood 바카라사이트 value of human rights, but also 바카라사이트 50th anniversary year of 바카라사이트 death of Winston Churchill, who was one of 바카라사이트 earliest and most vocal supporters of 바카라사이트 European Convention on Human Rights.

As spouse of 바카라사이트 prime minister, one is thrust into 바카라사이트 public eye. How hard was it to live a ��normal�� life with that level of attention?
It was extremely difficult, particularly for our children. So while it was a great privilege, it has been something of a relief for us to return to a more normal life.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Never look back!

What keeps you awake at night?
The idea that, in 바카라사이트 21st century, we are seeing 바카라사이트 world becoming a less tolerant and more dangerous place when all 바카라사이트 advances in human knowledge should be making it a golden age of progress and harmony for everyone.

You studied law at 바카라사이트 London School of Economics. What was your most memorable moment at university?
I loved my time at university, particularly because of 바카라사이트 excitement of 바카라사이트 intellectual challenges. I can also still recall 바카라사이트 luxury of being able to have a daily shower in hall, when back home in Liverpool we only had enough hot water for a bath once a week.

What kind of undergraduate were you?
I was a diligent student because I knew this was my one opportunity to improve my chances in life.

What��s your biggest regret?
I��ve been very fortunate in life, so I can honestly say �C in 바카라사이트 words of 바카라사이트 song �C je ne regrette rien!

john.elmes@tesglobal.com