Sheila Cameron CBE KC (1934–2025)

Sheila Morag Clark Cameron CBE KC was born on 22 March 1934.She would go on to build a remarkable and distinctive career as a barrister and judge in the male-dominated worlds of the Law and the Church.But Sheila wore her distinction lightly and is fondly remembered by many for her kindness and sense of fun, as well as for her professional achievements.She died on 2 July 2025, a few days after her beloved husband, Gerry Ryan KC.Having graduated in Jurisprudence from St Hugh's College Oxford, Sheila was admitted to the Middle Temple in January 1954, one of 26 women and 258 men.She was called to the Bar in 1957, winning a prestigious Harmsworth Scholarship.After completing a largely criminal pupillage, Sheila was offered a tenancy, on the basis that she was being given the opportunity to 'have a go' but that her clerk would not actively promote her.She therefore made work for herself by volunteering at the Russell Square Mary Ward Legal Advice Centre. 1 Soon, the Advice Centre solicitor started to send her work in her own right and she developed an extensive matrimonial practice.In 1960, Sheila married fellow barrister Gerry Ryan.In the midst of all the professional commitments, she gave birth to their two sons in 1965 and 1967.Sheila took silk in 1983 and was appointed a recorder in 1985, serving in this capacity until 1999.During this time she developed a specialised and outstanding secular practice.Major infrastructure projects were promoted by way of bills in Parliament and Sheila became one of the leaders of the Parliamentary Bar.Her knowledge of the arcane law relating to commons and village greens was unrivalled and she was involved in many of the leading cases.Sheila's talents as an administrative lawyer were recognised and she became the first woman Boundary Commissioner for England, as well as a member of the Council on Tribunals from 1986 to 1990.In 1988, she was elected as a Bencher of the Middle Temple.1 Mary Ward Legal Advice Centres specialise in giving free advice on housing, welfare benefits and debt issues; see https://www.marywardlegal.org.uk/(accessed 15 September 2025).Mary Ward was born in Yorkshire in the 16th century.She founded an order of nuns devoted to establishing free schools for the poor, teaching outside the walls of the convent, rather than leading an enclosed life, which was unusual at the time, as was independence from episcopal control, which she also achieved.She died in 1645 during the siege of York.She was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.