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Race-claim lawyer fights harassment conviction
Bo Wilson24 Nov 2009
A barrister at the centre of a £33 million race discrimination row has launched an appeal against a conviction for harassment.
Dr Aisha Bijlani, 42, is taking her legal chambers, 4 New Square, to tribunal after alleging she was victimised and that she was overlooked for work, losing £7 million in earnings because she was Asian. She is also appealing against a 2007 conviction of harassment against a former boyfriend.
But yesterday a judge at Blackfriars crown court told her the case was a “storm in a tea cup” and questioned if it was worth pursuing due to the cost to the taxpayer.
Dr Bijlani was convicted in her absence of harassment dating back to 2004 and given a conditional discharge. Judge Deva Pillay said at yesterday's hearing he wanted the “trivial” matter concluded as soon as possible.
He said: “If this court is dealing with matters which originated in 2004 and it is nearly 2010, it's important that everybody gets some perspective on the cost to the public purse.”
Dr Bijlani's appeal was adjourned until 17 May and the hearing is expected to last four days.
Reader views (14)
Good point, Boluding, and talking of cricket bats its good news that Jane Andrews has been recaptured. But, do you not think that you are defeated simply by recoursing to violence. In a civilized society the only way to right a wrong is to sue for a massive sum.
- Peace Maker, Battersea, 25/11/2009 10:48
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look whats all this going to court thing. With bullying at work, best thing for it is after it has happened a few times, take the bully round a quiet corner, show him a cricket bat, and ask if if he wants a cricket match any time soon. it usually works. Like magic.
- Boluding, london, 24/11/2009 21:59
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A mediocre money grabbing waste of space. With a mindset like that would you want her representing you.
- Khalia, London, 24/11/2009 19:58
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As per usual in this tremendous country, if you are not a white male cry either Racism or Chauvinism to line your pockets with cash you probably don't deserve. Take a long hard look at yourself and try answering truthfully, did you really deserve to get promotion over everybody else or does your attitude to your fellow workers let you down.
If at the first little set back which the rest of the countries people suffer daily, you run sniveling to claim discrimination, then the truth is more than likely that, no, you don't deserve it.
My advise is grow up and stop believing that everybody else is to blame for your shortcomings.
As for the judge in this case, well done for smelling a rat. Too many people have been getting away with this get rich quick scam for too long.
- Stephen, Jarrow, England, 24/11/2009 19:50
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£7 million in lost earnings, a claim for £33 million ????
Which unreality world do they pull these figures from ?
Maybe they're confusing Indonesian rupiah with sterling ?
- Cap, london, 24/11/2009 19:46
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We should be used to this by now. Year after year you get cases like this. And they usually win because of political correctness. Good luck to the Judge, he'll need it.
- Sylvie, Epping Essex, 24/11/2009 14:25
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I was made redundant 12 years before my retirement age.I was harassed by management for months so that I had to leave for health reasons.Can I sue for 12 times £35000 (my salary on leaving) plus a few million for pain and suffering,as I know how the "poor"lady feels.Is there any way I can get on the band wagon.
- Mr.D, Romford Essex, 24/11/2009 14:03
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On what basis (and over how long) does this person calculate her "lost earnings" at £7 million!!! Of even more concern, on what basis does she now think her claim for discrimination is worth £33 million. She's only a Barrister for goddness sake. What makes her (and others in the Legal profession) think they're worth such sums. Rip-off Britain yet again!!!
- Malcolm, London, England, 24/11/2009 14:03
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Being convicted for criminal offence, such as harrassment, surely means to be struck off as a barrister for life?
- Black Prince, London SW3, 24/11/2009 13:55
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Strain on public money again. ? is it all free? talk about skimming the system on a professional level
- Paul, london, 24/11/2009 13:36
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What a nice diversionary tactic. Me thinks this shows more than a little about the complainer more than she wants us to see
- Duncan, Kent, 24/11/2009 13:02
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Judge Deva Pillay should be applauded for his common sense, a commodity often missing from our judiciary.
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 24/11/2009 12:20
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Why did it take 3 years for the original harrassment case to come to court? Why was she convicted in absence? Why has it take so long for the appeal to come to court?
- H, London, UK, 24/11/2009 11:43
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Some common sense being used at last
- Lindona, italy, 24/11/2009 11:33
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