Barbara Corbett named Inspirational Woman of the Year

22nd June 2026

Image: Jersey Evening Post article about Barbara Corbett winning the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award

Congratulations to our ever hard working and determined senior partner Barbara Corbett for winning this special Soroptimist International Jersey (SIJ) Award. The SIJ award was given "in recognition of her work campaigning for changes to divorce, parentage and surrogacy laws, as well as the free legal support she provides to families who cannot afford representation." 

The Jersey Evening Post reported that Barbara has "helped drive some of the Island's most significant family law reforms in recent years" and Barbara has spoken to the BBC about what this award means to her. Family lawyer is charity's inspirational woman of the year - BBC News

The award was presented by Soroptimist patron Lady Kyd, who is married to the Lieutenant Governor. Unfortunately Barbara was in court until 6pm and her husband James Corbett KC (also a Jersey advocate) accepted the award on her behalf.

It has been ten years of campaigning for reform and it is fantastic that the changes being made are appreciated by so many people affected.

As we posted on our blog when Barbara was nominated Barbara was up against stiff competition: 

The SIJ posted: 

"Magdalena Chmielewska was nominated for her work supporting our polish community as Honorary Counsel for the Republic of Poland.Danielle Mynes was nominated for her work as a teacher and Chair of the VAWG Educational Sub-Group and her continued work with girls to end gender based violence.Each and every woman who was nominated is a worthy winner, thank you to everyone who nominated these inspiring women.

I also wanted to share some of the supportive comments about Barbara posted under the LinkedIn "3 amazing ladies who have been chosen as finalists... I am slightly biased, towards Barbara Corbett, amazing work in Family Law … and more""Barbara Corbett is an outstanding family lawyer and so much more besides. I had the honour of serving on the board of a charity with her and her professionalism, hard work and good old fashioned wisdom was transformative. Could not be more chuffed!"

Oh wow all of you are absolutely amazing women and whom I know personally. You have lead and campaigned - and still do so for women’s rights and equality and inclusion.

I cannot be more proud of all 3 of you to have been put as finalists 

"Barbara Corbett is an amazing lady, always ready to help....she so deserves this nomination "