The First 100 Years, a history project charting the journey of women in law since 1919, is launching a series of ten podcasts.

The project, supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council and CILEx, marks the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 (Royal Assent 23 December 1919, Gazette issue 31707), which enabled women to join the professions for the first time – and allowed women to become barristers, solicitors, jurors and magistrates.

'A person shall not be disqualified by sex or marriage from the exercise of any public function, or from being appointed to or holding any civil or judicial office or post, or from entering or assuming or carrying on any civil profession or vocation, or for admission to any incorporated society (whether incorporated by Royal Charter or otherwise)...'

The podcasts are 45-minute discussions between legal pioneers, historians, academics and legal practitioners based on key themes, including gender stereotypes, work/life balance and diversity. The series is presented by Lucinda Acland, a volunteer for First 100 Years and a qualified lawyer. 

Episodes will be available on the First Hundred Years website (as well as other podcast apps) from 17 January, and released once per month. Follow @First100years.