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Beautician wins David and Goliath court battle with builders
Anna Davis, Education Correspondent12 Nov 2009
A beautician from Essex with no legal training has won a High Court battle against one of the country's biggest homebuilders.
Georgina Blackwell, 23, acted as a barrister for her mother in a David and Goliath court fight against Bellway Homes.
Miss Blackwell from Halstead in Essex was spurred into action when she heard her mother risked losing her home and beauty salon business in a row over allowing access across her garden.
She said: “I'm a blonde, 23-year-old beautician from Essex, I know it doesn't look good on paper but I think they underestimated me.
“They looked intimidating in their wigs and gowns, it was terrifying. I felt absolutely scared stiff by the huge courtroom and speaking in front of a High Court judge but I got a surge of adrenaline and thought, they aren't going to intimidate me'.
“When the judgment was read out it was fantastic. It was so satisfying that I'd stood up for what I believed and won.”
Her mother had lost her original case against Bellway, but after checking deeds and rights of access Miss Blackwell believed the builder had gone too far in demolishing two walls.
Mr Justice Proudman agreed, overturning the first decision and ordering Bellway to pay £75,000 in compensation.
Miss Blackwell is considering reapplying to study law after previously turning down a place to help her mother in their salon.
Reader views (29)
Well Done!! Brave Girl. Follow your dream. I always think everything happens for the best. May be the Bellway thing had to happen to show you a new career path. Not only are you clever, beautiful but also a very kind and thoughtful daughter.
I wish you all the very very best for the future. xxx
- Sam A, Windsor, United Kingdom, 15/11/2009 21:59
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Well done georgina, i wish you lived next door to me. Your mum is lucky to have you. Reach for the stars, you'll probably make it.
- Disgruntled Neighbour, nottinghamshire, england, 13/11/2009 14:23
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Well done !
Go for it George !! 
As for the boyfriend - you're a lucky man !
- Pg, London, 13/11/2009 14:09
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What a heartening story. I wish this young woman and her mother well for the future.
- Neil645, Gloucestershire, England., 13/11/2009 07:47
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Well done, you go girl.
- Rita, London, UK, 13/11/2009 01:57
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Well done Georgina, the likes of the big Goliath Companys around the world think they can walk all over the ordinary hard working citizens, here is proof, they cannot,more people should be standing up to them and taking them on.
- Roger Allen, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 12/11/2009 23:35
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GEORGINA ROCKS !
- Radz, Expat!, Copenhagen , Denmark., 12/11/2009 22:12
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Good on you Georgina!
- Shirley, Bromley, 12/11/2009 22:02
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A truly wonderful story, we're just glad that we can relax now that it is over. In response to Frank. She isn't single. She's mine. All mine ha ha.
Thank you everyone for your kind comments. It really has helped to make today very special and one that will never be forgotten. GMTV tomorrow.
I'm so proud of my lil' 'blonde beautician from Essex' She has shown what really can be achieved.
- Chris Purvis, Essex, United Kingdom, 12/11/2009 21:43
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Amazing!! You should be very proud of such a huge accomplishment!
- Hayley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, 12/11/2009 21:00
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Brains and a looker - excellent.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 12/11/2009 20:49
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Well done Georgina!!
Hope you do read law - this country could do with some GOOD solicitors/barristers.
- Anil Chatterjee, Manchester, 12/11/2009 20:21
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Fantastic.
- David K, Barkingside, 12/11/2009 20:00
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Well done Georgina, I did something similar against a large retailer and they likewise had presumed they could walk all over me, they failed and had to pay up an amount I am barred by the agreement from revealing.
By all means study law but before deciding to do so, find out whether you can get a placement with good chambers or you might be throwing away hard earnt winnings. Enjoy your moment, well done.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK, 12/11/2009 20:00
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... and now if we have any really bright firms of Solicitors reading this, they will snap her up, pay her fees at law school and give her a golden hello contract. Well done young lady and good luck.
- Mj, East Anglia, 12/11/2009 19:57
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The story doesn't tell us what she did in court and what she said in defence of her mum, in order for her to win the case.
- Don Raj, West london, England, 12/11/2009 18:13
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Well done! Now let's hope someone in one of the top city law firms notices and offers her a training contract! this is a young woman who could have opted out for the ladette life style but clearly is not!!
- Liz, London, 12/11/2009 18:01
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Not only is Georgina Blackwell very smart, she's absolutely gorgeous.
Such brains and beauty is a lethal combination.
Congratulations!
- Timothy Mcgeever, Hampstead, London, UK, 12/11/2009 17:54
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Stick to hairdressing,the recession has resulted in thousands of lawyers becoming unemployed and its even worse for would be lawyers with student debts,no experience and very few openings
- Baldini, London England, 12/11/2009 17:33
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Proud of you Georgina - well done indeed!
- Nowan, London, 12/11/2009 17:17
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Twas well done this day lass, the scullions of yon court house do look down upon a deemed lesser mortal from the great county of the Lord Essex, but lo, the lass has brought them to boot, and the lady with the scales and sword knew which way to lean.
The builders of Bellway do build very good homes, but that cannot excuse a lack of morals and ethics, thank our lord that a great pile of money to be spent does not negate actual justice in our fair islands...always.
A fair day for a fair lass..go on now to things as great, or does one dare say greater things!!
- Patrick Frankling, Richmond Surrey England, 12/11/2009 17:09
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Wahoo! Lovely story. Well done Georgina.
- Katy, Wanstead, London, 12/11/2009 16:39
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A good news story on the front page. Bravo. Lets have more of them!Well done.
- Jim, London, 12/11/2009 16:30
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O that's brought joy to my heart,well done Georgina.Go for your Law degree,Then offer your services to those who need them the most,ie those like your mum who maybe cant afford a top class lawyer to fight the big guys.What ever you do don't waste that talent.
- Kev, London-UK, 12/11/2009 15:42
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Brilliant, if more people stood up to intimidation in all walks of life we would live in a safer and more civilised society
- Diane, middlesbrough, 12/11/2009 15:32
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Brilliant. We definitely need more Georginas.
- Aylyn, 03189 Orihuela Costa, 12/11/2009 14:32
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Bravo!
- Decency, London, UK, 12/11/2009 14:31
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Well done that young woman.
- Stephend, London, England, 12/11/2009 14:02
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Good for her, is she single?!
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 12/11/2009 14:02
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