On Thursday 1st December, the Lawyers’ Group of Oasis of Peace UK held its annual Rueff Lecture. This annual event is held in honour of Philip Rueff, the first Chair of the Lawyers’ Group and former Chair of Oasis of Peace UK, to raise funds for and awareness of the work of Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam.

We were deeply honoured to host Baroness Hale of Richmond, as our speaker for the evening. The Baroness was a professor of law at Manchester University, specialising in social welfare law, family law, mental health law and women and the law. She was a member of the Bar and, in 1984, became the youngest person and the first woman ever to be appointed to the Law Commission. Over the course of the nine years spent at the Law Commission, she instigated a number of key reforms in family law and mental health law. She initiated and led the Commission’s work which produced the Children Act 1989.

Baroness Hale spoke powerfully and movingly, demonstrating a profound commitment to equality and justice. In Baroness Hale’s view, addressing inequality within the judiciary will improve overall decision-making and, ultimately, lead to a fairer implementation of the law. 

This was our first in-person Rueff Lecture since before the pandemic, and we were delighted that so many of you were able to join us for a physical event. We are very grateful for the many generous donations in support of the work of Oasis of Peace UK and of the primary school that enriches young people's lives through an equal and peaceful education.