Nwabueze Nwokolo

{{short description|Nigerian-born United Kingdom lawyer}}

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{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix = Princess

| name = Nwabueze Nwokolo

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| image = Nwabueze Wachuku Nwokolo.jpg

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| caption = Nwabueze Jaja Wachuku

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|12|11}}

| birth_place = Abia State: Nigeria

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| education = Legal Studies: Law, Civil and Criminal Procedure, Mediation, etc.

| alma_mater = University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nottingham Trent University, University of Law: United Kingdom

| occupation = Council Member: Law Society of England and Wales, Chair: BSN: Black Solicitors Network: The Midlands: UK, Solicitor at Her Majesty's Courts of Justice of England and Wales: Supreme Court of the United Kingdom plus Barrister and Soilicitor: SCN: Supreme Court of Nigeria{{cite web | url = https://www.blacknet.co.uk/event/british-nigeria-law-forum-bnlf-annual-gala-dinner-awards-2019 | title = BNLF: British Nigeria Law Forum: Annual Gala Dinner 2019: Nwabueze Nwokolo | publisher = BlackNet: United Kingdom | accessdate = 19 May 2020}}{{cite web | url = https://www.cardifflaw.org/home.php?page_id=318 | title = Wales Committee Report: Nwabueze Nwokolo | publisher = Law Society of England and Wales | accessdate = 19 May 2020}}

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| title = Princess of Ngwa-Land

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| spouse = Professor Chuka Nwokolo: MD, FRCP, FRCPE, FEBGH, CBE{{cite web | url = https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/news/professor-chuka-nwokolo-recognised-with-a-cbe-in-the-queens-birthday-honours-list | title = Professor Chuka Nwokolo Recognised with a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List | publisher = University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire | accessdate = 18 June 2021}}

| partner =

| children = Munachiso Nwokolo, Idu Nwokolo

| parents = Mother: Rhoda Wachuku. Father: Jaja Wachuku

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Nwabueze Jaja Wachuku Nwokolo {{Pronunciation|Ig-Nwabueze Jaja Wachuku Nwokolo.ogg|3=(|help=no}} (born 11 December 1954), a royal princess of Ngwaland, is a Nigerian United Kingdom based lawyer who is council member at Law Society of England and Wales; including being a director and board chair of Great Britain's BSN: Black Solicitors Network,{{cite web | url = http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/constitution-committee/news/jap-evidence-session-23-nov | title = Lords Committee hears from associations representing women and ethnic minority lawyers | publisher = Parliament UK | accessdate = 7 December 2013}}{{cite web | url = http://www.blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk | title = Welcome to BSN | publisher = Black Solicitors Network | accessdate = 10 December 2013}} the largest membership organisation of its kind in Europe. Nwokolo is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales' Minority Ethnic Concerns Group.{{cite web |url=http://lexnoir.org/tag/black-solicitors-network |title= Black Solicitors Network |publisher= LexNoir |accessdate=1 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.blackletterlawpublication.com/feature/nwabueze-nwokolo-seeks-re-election-law-society-council-bme-seat |title= Nwabueze Nwokolo seeks re-election to the Law Society Council BME Seat |date= May 2013 |publisher= Black Lawyers Directory |accessdate=1 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk/about-us/the-board |title= The Board |publisher= Black Solicitors Network |accessdate=2 April 2014}} Also, she sits on the RAB: Regulatory Affairs Board of the Law Society.{{cite web |url=http://www.onlinebld.com/uploads/BLL/BLL_2009_taster.pdf |title= Showcasing Achievement in Law |publisher= Totally Management London |accessdate=8 April 2014}}

Nwokolo is a humanitarian, multiculturalism and better family plus social justice advocate; as well as a mediation, philanthropy, nonprofit, servant leadership, community development, peacebuilding, equality, tolerance, inclusion and diversity expert.{{cite web |url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/nwabueze-nwokolo/3948.bio |title= Nwabueze Nwokolo |publisher= The Law Society of England and Wales |accessdate=1 April 2014}} In November 2011, Nwokolo contributed to the Judicial Appointments Process in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliamentlive.tv/main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9493 |title= House of Lords Constitution Committee |publisher= Parliament UK |accessdate=20 December 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldconst/272/27206.htm |title= Judicial Appointments – Constitution Committee Contents |publisher= Parliament UK |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

Nwokolo is the daughter of Jaja Wachuku: Nigeria's first Speaker of the House of Representatives; as well as first Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and first Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations. She is a granddaughter of King Josaiah Ndubuisi Wachuku.{{cite web |url=https://theechonews.net/2019/12/09/south-east-political-heritage-jaja-wachuku-1918-1996/ |title= South-East Political Heritage: Jaja Wachuku: 1918-1996 |date= 9 December 2019 |publisher= The Echo News |accessdate= 19 May 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://juniorlawyers.lawsociety.org.uk/node/123 |title= Case study: Nwabueze Nwokolo |publisher= The Law Society |accessdate= 2 April 2014}} In May 2013, Nwokolo was listed as a role model in Great Britain by BRM-UK: Black Role Models United Kingdom organisation headquartered in London.{{cite web |url=http://www.blackrolemodelsuk.com/nwabueze-nwokolo |title= Nwabueze Nwokolo |publisher= Black Role Models UK Organization |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

Early life and education

Born as Nwambeze or Nwabueze Jaja Wachuku in Nigeria during 1954 to Rhoda and Jaja Wachuku, Nwokolo attended Queen's School Enugu and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) from 1973 to 1977 where she graduated with LLB: Bachelor of Laws; including law, civil and criminal procedure, etc. She was called to the Nigerian Bar as BL: Barrister at Law in 1978; and did her National Youth Service Corps programme from 1978 to 1979. At University of Nigeria, Nsukka, she was hall chair, as well as member of the badminton and swimming teams; including being a member of Kandel Klub-show the light.

In 1990, Nwokolo studied further by passing Nottingham Trent University's CPE: Common Professional Examination for law discipline practitioners in the United Kingdom. Also, she advanced higher in her legal studies by commendably graduating from College of Law Chester with LSF: The Law Society Finals in 1991. In 1999, she did PDT Family Mediation Training in the UK. In 2000, Nwokolo qualified for CeMAP: Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice; and in 2004, she got a Diploma in Mortgage Lending. Since 1978, Nwokolo has been a Barrister and Solicitor of SCN: Supreme Court of Nigeria; and from 1995, a Solicitor at Her Majesty's Courts of Justice of England and Wales or the Supreme Court of England and Wales- now called Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url=http://www.blackletterlawpublication.com/profile/nwabueze-nwokolo-0 |title= Nwabueze Nwokolo |publisher= Black Letter Law |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

Career

Having graduated and qualified in 1977 as a lawyer from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nwokolo was called to NBA: Nigerian Bar in 1978. Later, in 1995, she enrolled as a solicitor in England and Wales. A council member of The Law Society with responsibility for Minority Ethnic Concerns,{{cite web |url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/chancery-lane-pays-tribute-to-nelson-mandela/5039155.article |title= Chancery Lane pays tribute to Nelson Mandela |publisher=Law Society of England and Wales |accessdate=15 December 2013}} Nwokolo is presently chair of the Black Solicitors Network: BSN organisation in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Accordingly, she represents BSN on the External Implementation Group (EIG) set up by the Solicitors Regulation Authority: SRA – in response to findings of adverse and disproportionate regulation of black and ethnic minority solicitors.{{cite web |url=http://www.sra.org.uk/support/ |title= Support |publisher=Solicitors Regulation Authority |accessdate=7 February 2014}} As BSN chair, Nwokolo especially contributed to the Judicial Appointments Process in the House of Lords' Constitution Committee in November 2011.{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldconst/272/27213.htm |title= List of Witnesses – Judicial Appointments – Constitution Committee |publisher= Parliament UK |accessdate=17 March 2014}}

=Black Solicitors Network=

Since 2005, she has been a director of BSN: Black Solicitors Network. Earlier, before her election in October 2010 as BSN national chair, she led the Midlands chapter;{{cite web |url=http://my-sra.org/sra/news/press/sra-listens-bme-solicitors-birmingham.page |title= SRA listens to BME solicitors at Birmingham event |publisher= Solicitors Regulation Authority |accessdate=2 April 2014}} and had responsibility for pastoral care based upon her longstanding experience as family lawyer, ecumenical trustee and empathic mediator.{{cite web |url=http://www.wikivorce.com/divorce/Directory/Solicitors/Solicitors-England-Solihull-All-Issues-Mediation-Service-B92-7DF.html |title= All Issues Mediation |publisher= Wikivorce |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

As Black Solicitors Network chair, Nwokolo has been working smart to make sure that the general UK disappointment at the low rate in the number of lawyers of Black and African descent in the legal profession is improved for good in the interest of the country; in terms of better minority inclusion and worthy diversity.{{cite web |url=http://www.thelawyer.com/news/latest-news/diversity-league-table-minorities-still-under-represented-at-the-top-of-the-profession/3012384.article |title= Diversity League Table: minorities still under-represented at the top of the profession |publisher= The Lawyer |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

Through many initiatives, which includes the Diversity League Table consultation, Nwokolo has led BSN to work consistently in the direction of widening meaningful participation and access to legal services in the United Kingdom. She is noted for progressive vision in the following words: "Working with our partners we're trying to move things forward in terms of creating a legal workforce drawn from the most meritorious. The inclusion of questions about the social background of lawyers, and lawyers to be, represents an important new phase of the consultation."{{cite web |url=http://l2b.thelawyer.com/bsn-adds-social-mobility-questions-to-league-tables-research/1007645.article |title= BSN adds social mobility questions to league tables research |publisher= The Lawyer |accessdate=2 April 2014}} This crucial Diversity League Table reporting has four main diversity areas; namely: gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disabilities. Focusing on the demographic composition of law firms and chambers, results are shown as a sequence of organisation profiles and successive leagues tables; ranking participants in major areas, and also showing an overall ranking on the complete Diversity League Table.{{cite web |url=http://www.legalsupportnetwork.co.uk/human-resources/news/bsn-adds-social-mobility-questions-league-tables-research |title= social mobility questions added to league tables research by BSN |publisher= Legal Support Network UK |accessdate=4 April 2014}}

All her professional life, Nwokolo has advocated and campaigned for the elimination of any form of discrimination and unfair treatment of people in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and across countries of the world; and she affirms that "there is much work to be done" by all humankind in the years ahead. Nwokolo said: "We must lead the charge, and not follow in the wake of others who are not as well equipped as solicitors to provide and deliver legal services" for improved human rights, political freedom and survival of black and minority ethnic (BME) practices in the United Kingdom and globally.{{cite web |url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/bme-solicitors-must-act-now-to-survive-upheaval-in-legal-services/58502.article |title= BME solicitors must act now to survive upheaval in legal services |publisher= The Law Society Gazette |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

In support of Nigerian lawyers, Nwokolo has been a strong advocate for better practices in the African country; and, also, for Nigerian-born lawyers in the United Kingdom, urging the SRA: Solicitors Regulation Authority to be humanely constructive and unbiased in terms of engaging BMES: Black and Minority Ethnic Solicitors in progressive programmes and activities.{{cite web |url=http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/469-black-lawyers-invited-to-parle-with-solicitors-regulation-authority |title=Black lawyers invited to parle with Solicitors Regulation Authority |publisher= Word Press |accessdate=3 April 2014}} Also, over the years, Nwokolo has been a willing supporter of SRA through her service of helping specialist groups understand complexities and issues facing them on equality and diversity matters.{{cite web |url=http://www.lawsocietymember.com/Report_latest_council_meeting_NOV.php |title=Black lawyers invited to parle with Solicitors Regulation Authority |publisher= Law Society Member |accessdate=4 April 2014}}

=House of Lords=

Representing women, disadvantaged people and ethnic minorities, in November 2011, at the House of Lords Constitution Committee, in her service as Black Solicitors Network Chair, Nwokolo favoured the renowned "plateau of merit" reality, concerning the process of appointing Judges in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/calendar/?d=2011-11-23 |title=Previous business |publisher= They Work For You |accessdate=4 April 2014}} She affirmed: ""We don't want a judiciary that is not meritorious ... [but] you may be leaving out a lot of people who would benefit society as a whole." With the plateau of merit "you look at society as a whole and accept merit exists in many different places and identify merit where you wouldn't normally look."{{cite web |url=https://alrich.wordpress.com/tag/house-of-lords-constitution-committee |title=House of Lords Constitution Committee |publisher= Alrich Blog: Word Press |accessdate=3 April 2014}}

At the House of Lords, Nwokolo is an acclaimed champion of: human welfare, valuable servant leadership vision, enduring tolerance, Intercultural communication, learning to live together [http://www.unesco.org/en/education-for-sustainable-development/strategy/learning-to-live-together/], empathic knowledge transfer and making sure that appropriate training is given to those involved in the judicial appointments procedure. She is known to have stated that: "There is a need to expand the thinking around judicial appointments, including giving equality and diversity training to the people who make recommendations for appointments."{{cite web |url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/targets-needed-for-judicial-diversity-peers-are-told/63246.article |title=Targets needed for judicial diversity, peers are told |publisher= The Law Society Gazette |accessdate=3 April 2014}}

=Law Society Council=

In 2009, Nwokolo began her second term on the Council of the Law Society of England and Wales, and chaired the Law Society Group Equality and Diversity Committee for three years.{{cite web |url=http://www.managingpartner.com/opinion/hr/thought-leader-22 |title= Thought leader |publisher= Wilmington Publishing & Information |accessdate=2 April 2014}} Consequently, she continues as a member of the Legal Affairs and Policy Board (LAPB) and Black and Minority Ethnic Forum (BMEF) of the Law Society.{{cite web |url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/158180407/Minutes-of-meeting-of-12-December-2012---the-Law-Societys |title= Minutes of the Law Society Wales Committee 12 December 2012 |publisher= Docstoc |accessdate=2 April 2014}} In April 2011, she co-chaired the Minority Lawyers' Conference hosted by the Law Society.{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/abpl/docs/av_16april11/7 |title= Law Society Hosts Minority Lawyers' Conference |date= 12 April 2011 |publisher= ISSUU |accessdate=13 January 2014}}

Over the years, Nwokolo has been intimately involved in the visionary development and strategic growth of The Law Society's ethnic minorities division; and sees her efforts and service as "a work in progress."{{cite web |url=http://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/council-gives-law-society-chiefs-bloody-nose |title= Council gives Law Society chiefs a bloody nose |date= 28 March 2013 |publisher= Legal Futures Publishing |accessdate=2 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cigroup.org.uk/news.aspx?NewsID=19 |title= Council seats victory for in-house lawyers |publisher= Commerce & Industry Group |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

Nwokolo has been a member of the following committees of The Law Society: National Executive: the Young Solicitors Group: 1999–2003, Council Committee: 2002–2005, Equality and Diversity: 2005–2007, Chair Equality and Diversity Committee: 2007–2010, Minority Ethnic Concerns Council: 2005 to date, Legal Affairs and Policy Board: 2007 to date and co-chair of the Minority Lawyers Conference: 2011. Also, she serves as a Member of the following relevant United Kingdom professional groups: Resolution: Solicitors Family Law Association: 1993 to date, SRA: Solicitors Regulation Authority External Implementation Group: 2007 to date, Association of Women Solicitors: 1995 to date and Lawyers with Disability: 2005 to date.{{cite web |url=http://www.blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk/bsn-media/news/213-nwabueze-nwokolo-elected-as-new-bsn-chair |title= Nwabueze Nwokolo elected as new BSN Chair |publisher= Black Solicitors Network |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

=Legal education advocacy=

Concerning the affordability of legal education in the United Kingdom, Nwokolo has, also, been an unwavering advocate of smartly finding reasonable ways of bringing university education costs down to remove financial hindrance to aspiring black lawyers. She is a clear voice on the need for mentorship programmes and strategies of encouragement for young people interested in studying law.{{cite web |url=http://www.lawcareers.net/Information/News/03112009-Soaring-uni-fees-create-barrier-for-black-lawyers |title= Soaring uni fees create barrier for black lawyers |publisher= Law Careers |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

Affirmatively advocating for an excellent, innovative and exemplary legal education system in the United Kingdom as Law Society Council Member for Minority Ethnic Concerns and Chair of the Law Society Group Equality and Diversity Committee, Nwokolo, said in 2009:

"The solicitors' profession continues to attract BME student lawyers despite the high cost of the academic, conversion and practice aspects of training to be a solicitor. It was easier in the past when grants were available from one's local authority even for the post university stage. The law is an extremely competitive profession as was emphasised by all our panellists. To succeed, you do not necessarily need a first from Oxbridge. What is required is a belief in yourself, passion, integrity, honesty, persistence and a capacity for hard work. You do need as many mentors as you can muster and all our panellists made themselves available to aspiring lawyers in need of help in this regard. A degree in law continues to be highly sought after and valued by employers. Young lawyers should therefore be ready to be innovative and creative in the use of their valuable training as legal professionals."{{cite web |url=http://centrallobby.politicshome.com/members/member-press/member-press-details/newsarticle/university-costs-are-a-hindrance-to-aspiring-black-lawyers-says-law-society///sites/law-society/ |title= University costs are a hindrance to aspiring black lawyers, says Law Society |publisher= Central Lobby |accessdate=3 April 2014}}

Personal life

She is married to Chuka Uchemefuna Nwokolo, a medical doctor and professor of gastroenterology and nutrition at University of Warwick; plus CBE: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire,{{cite web |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19367876.queens-birthday-honours-list-uk-list-full/ |title= Queen's Birthday Honours 2021 |date= 11 June 2021 |publisher= The Herald Scotland |accessdate=23 June 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/people/queens-birthday-honours-list-2021-full-who-mbe-obe-cbe-knight-dame-1047332 |title= Queen's Birthday Honours List 2021 in Full: Everyone Who's Received an MBE, OBE, CBE, Knighthood or Damehood |date= 11 June 2021 |publisher= iNews: Associated Newspapers Limited: UK |accessdate=23 June 2021}}{{cite web |url=http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/research/biomedical/famished/team |title= The Team |publisher= University of Warwick |accessdate=2 April 2014}} they have two daughters: Munachiso and Idu. Solihull, United Kingdom is their home. Also, privately, Nwokolo does representative and racial justice work for the Methodist Church of Great Britain.{{cite web |url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/search-results?q=Nwabueze+Nwokolo |title= Nwabueze Nwokolo Search |publisher= The Methodist Church |accessdate=2 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/more-goodwill-messages-for-president-jammeh |title= The Methodist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Norman Grigg |publisher= Daily Observer |accessdate=2 April 2014}} She is a director, trustee and governor at Queen's Foundation: Edgbaston: Birmingham: England – an ecumenical training college.{{cite web |url=http://opencharities.org/charities/1111892 |title= The Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education |publisher= Open Charities |accessdate=2 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.creditgate.com/companysearch/the+queens+foundation+for+ecumenical+theological+education.aspx |title= The Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education |publisher= Creditgate |accessdate=2 April 2014}}

AIMs: All Issues Mediation Service, which deals with conflict and dispute resolution in families and communities was founded by her. Notably, Nwokolo does numerous voluntary and nonprofit service to humankind through RIOJAWACH: Rhoda Idu Onumonu Jaja Wachuku,{{cite web |url=https://www.asil.org/sites/default/files/documents/Management%20of%20Transboundry%20resources%20in%20Afria%20%281%29.pdf |title= Nwabueze and her siblings support education through RIOJAWACH, a trust ... |publisher= ASIL: American Society of International Law |accessdate=23 June 2021}} an NGO: Non-governmental organisation she set up in abiding memory of her parents Rhoda and Jaja Wachuku.

See also

References

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