Valerie Pearlman
Valerie Pearlman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 August 1936 Hendon, London |
| Died | 13 August 2025 (aged 89) |
| Occupation | judge |
Valerie Anne Pearlman CBE (6 August 1936 – 13 August 2025) was a British judge.[1] She was one of the United Kingdoms most senior female judges.[2]
Early life
Pearlman was born in Hendon in North London.[3]
Career
Pearlman read for the bar in late 1950s with just 10 other women and when she was sworn in as a judge at the age of 48, she was among only 13 women on the circuit bench.[3] She worked on family law at Southwark Crown Court.[4] In 1999, she made legal history by concluding a criminal trial over the Internet.[5] The fraud trial ended while she was at St Bartholomew's Hospital with a broken leg.[6] With an internet connection she was able to make contact from her hospital bed via fax machine and video link.[7] She also dealt with cases involving drugs[8] and violent crime.[9][10] In 2002, she passed the first ever sentence for theft of a mobile phone.[3] She was on the south eastern circuit.[11] Pearlman was awarded a CBE in 2008.[12]
Death
Pearlman died on 13 August 2025.[13] She was described as a trailblazer in the legal profession.[14]
References
- ^ Obituaries, Telegraph (2025-10-09). "Valerie Pearlman, tough-but-fair circuit judge who conducted a fraud trial in hospital". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Jail all men who beat women, says top judge". The Independent. 2001-10-30. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ a b c Cross, Michael (15 September 2025). "Obituary: Her Honour Judge Valerie Pearlman CBE". Law Gazette. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Ames, Jonathan; Baksi, Catherine (2023-10-11). "Lady chief justice toasts Southwark crown court". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "BBC News | UK | Internet first for injured judge". BBC News. 30 July 1999. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Trial is finished over the Internet". The Independent. 1999-07-30. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Last Word - The Duchess of Kent, Giorgio Armani, Valerie Pearlman, Rick Davies - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Drugs ring wife jailed". The Herald. 1989-08-19. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Refugee jailed for sex attack ordeal". News Shopper. 2000-07-06. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Life term for serial rapist police brand 'an evil man'". News Shopper. 2000-06-21. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 25 May 2005 (pt 11)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Lawyers honoured". Law Gazette. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Her Honour Valerie Pearlman CBE". Lincoln's Inn. 2025-08-19. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Her Honour Valerie Pearlman obituary: trailblazing judge". The Times. 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-12-15.