Baroness Hale delivers the 54th Wade lecture on values in medical decision-making
The Wade Conference Centre was honoured to welcome Baroness Hale of Richmond for the 54th Wade Lecture on Wednesday 9 October 2024.
Lady Hale, former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, delivered a thought-provoking lecture entitled “Values in Medical Decision-Making”, exploring the important relationship between law, ethics, personal values and the complex decisions that can arise within healthcare.
With a distinguished legal career spanning several decades, Lady Hale brought exceptional experience and insight to the subject. Before becoming a judge, she worked as an academic lawyer at the University of Manchester, while also qualifying and practising for a period as a barrister in Manchester.
She later became the first woman to serve as a member of the Law Commission, where she led significant and successful work in areas including Family Law and Mental Capacity Law. Her experience in mental capacity legislation made her particularly well placed to discuss the legal and ethical considerations that can influence medical decision-making.
Lady Hale was appointed a High Court Judge in 1994 and promoted to the Court of Appeal in 1999. In 2004, she made history by becoming the first woman to serve as a Law Lord in the House of Lords, which was then the United Kingdom's highest court.
When the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom was established in 2009, Lady Hale became one of its first Justices. She was appointed Deputy President in 2013 before making history once again in 2017 as the first woman President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
She remained in the role until her retirement in January 2020, having reached the most senior judicial position in the country.
Exploring values in healthcare decisions
The 54th Wade Lecture provided an opportunity to consider some of the difficult questions that can arise when medical treatment, individual rights, professional responsibilities and personal beliefs intersect.
Medical decisions are not always determined by clinical evidence alone. Questions surrounding consent, mental capacity, autonomy and the best interests of a patient can introduce complex legal and ethical considerations.
Drawing on her extensive experience in law and public life, Lady Hale offered valuable perspectives on how values can influence these decisions and the legal principles that help professionals, patients and families navigate challenging circumstances.
The subject reflected the Wade Lecture's long-standing tradition of bringing distinguished speakers to Stoke-on-Trent to discuss important issues affecting medicine, society and public life.
A distinguished career in law
Since retiring from the Supreme Court, Lady Hale has continued to contribute to academic and public life through charitable work, speaking engagements and writing.
Her memoir, Spider Woman: A Life, was published in 2021 and reflects on her journey through the legal profession and her experiences as one of the UK's most influential judges.
She also holds a number of honorary academic appointments and serves as Visitor of Girton College, Cambridge, where she studied.
The Wade Charitable Foundation was delighted to welcome Baroness Hale to the Wade Conference Centre for this landmark lecture and to provide guests with the opportunity to hear from one of the most significant figures in modern British legal history.