Marcelle Allayne Kiddle

Died
2003
Occupation
Barrister and Lawyer
Alternative Names
  • Kiddle (also known as)
  • Kiddle, Allayne (preferred name)
Jurisdiction

Marcelle Allayne Kiddle completed two years of medicine at the University of Melbourne before her career was interrupted by marriage. After a stint as a dancer, including a contract with the BBC, she enrolled at the London School of Economics (LSE) and graduated LLB (Hons) in 1956. Allayne or "Kiddle" (as she preferred to be known) read for the English Bar and was admitted to the Middle Temple in London, before returning to Melbourne. After signing the Bar Roll in 1959 (the sixth woman to do so), she read with Bill Kaye. She had hoped for a broad practice, but specialised in divorce. During the 1960s, she returned to LSE to complete a Master of Laws. She appeared with Philip Opas QC at London's Privy Council during the Ronald Ryan trial in the late 1960s.

Sources used to compile this entry: 'Allayne Kiddle', in Foley's List, Foley's, http://www.foleys.com.au/GalleryAKiddle.aspx; 'And what do we have here?!' The first (25) women to sign the Victorian Bar Roll - some personal reminiscences [Slideshow]; http://www.vicbar.com.au/wba/WBA%20First%2025%20Women/WBASlideShow_First_25_Women.html.

Prepared by Larissa Halonkin