Ontario’s legal regulator will create a gender-neutral room at Osgoode Hall where lawyers can network and change into their robes prior to appearing in court.

The announcement by the Law Society of Ontario comes in the wake of a petition, started by Toronto lawyer Breanna Needham, that highlighted that the women’s robing room — known on some signs at the courthouse as the “Lady Barristers” room — had just 12 lockers, versus nearly 70 lockers and a lot more space on the men’s side.

This despite the fact 43 per cent of lawyers in Ontario are women.

“We’re working to create one dedicated gender-neutral space for all barristers to robe and network in what’s now the men’s robing room,” the law society said on Twitter Wednesday. “Modifications are needed to support personal privacy in the washrooms. Once complete the space will be open to all.

“We are working out specific plans and timelines. Please stay tuned for updates as we work to ensure robing and networking facilities are inclusive and welcoming. In the meantime, please continue to respect people’s privacy.”

Osgoode Hall, a historic downtown Toronto landmark, houses both the Court of Appeal and Divisional Court — courts which require lawyers to wear black robes when appearing before judges.

Needham’s petition, which gathered more than 850 signatures, described the women’s robing room as “very small ... with limited room to maneuver, change or work.”

A 2018 article in Canadian Lawyer magazine described the men’s robing room as something out of an “old-money golf and country club,” with a “comfortable lounge section” containing a sofa and large table and chairs.

“We are always open to suggestions and creating a gender-neutral space is consistent with our commitment to equality,” said law society spokesperson Susan Tonkin.

“We recognize that it’s important for all legal professionals to be able to have dedicated space to interact and enhance their knowledge. Providing a common space is one way to support this.”

Needham told the Star Wednesday she was encouraged by the speed with which the law society addressed the issue raised in her petition.

“The importance of tackling systemic inequality is currently at the forefront of the discourse in the legal profession,” she said. “To have our regulator address a clear, representative example of exclusion so swiftly is certainly inspiring, and bodes well for the potential for further progress on issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion.”

Read more:

Petition asks why Osgoode Hall’s cramped ‘Lady Barristers’ room has just 12 lockers, but the men get about 70

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