Pauline Lyle-Smith BA LLB
1964 - 1968
Pauline graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Sydney and, after qualifying as a solicitor in NSW, practised law at Freehill, Hollingdale & Page (now Herbert, Smith Freehills) in Sydney for four years. She lived on campus at Women’s College for five years and then at International House at the University of Sydney for four years. (Whilst practising law she carried out evening pro bono legal work at the Wayside Chapel in King’s Cross, Sydney).
She later travelled to London where, as Director of BRITDOC, she founded, established and developed the unique and successful system of document exchanges (DX) in the UK, Ireland and North America. This was based on her experience of having used the system as a lawyer in Sydney.
She was instrumental in having the law regarding the UK Post Office monopoly relaxed and the law changed to make service of documents ‘good service’ under court rules. The DX system began with the legal and insurance sectors but was extended to a wide range of businesses and organisations including government departments. In July 2006 the DX was sold by Hays PLC to Candover for £350 million and is now a Stock Exchange listed company. (In September 2015 the DX held a Gala Dinner for her to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of its foundation).
She then set up and edited the UK Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession. This assesses and ranks the leading law firms, barristers’ chambers, solicitors and barristers across the UK and is now a brand leader in its field internationally. She carried this knowledge forward to help publish Legal Profiles across Australia. She has also assisted in the establishment of leading legal magazines.
Pauline has served on various Boards and Committees. She was Chairman of the University of Sydney UK Alumni Association for eight years, is a Trustee of the Friends of the University of Sydney Trust, was 2011 Chairman of The Cook Society (formed by Robert Menzies and Alec Douglas Home in 1969), is a Board Member of Menzies Centre’s Advisory Board, was a Member of Menzies Centre Bicentenary Scholarships and Fellowships Selection Committee, was a Board member of Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham Conservative Association for six years, Mayoress of Hammersmith and Fulham 2011/2012 and 2013/2014 and is Deputy Chairman of the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust which oversaw the Arthur Phillip Memorials in the UK in 2014 (the bicentenary of his death) and which is now concentrating on scholarships and bursaries. She is on the committee which oversaw the unveiling of the memorial to Matthew Flinders in July 2014 (the bicentenary of his death) and unveiled by Prince William at Australia House in London. She is a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of World Traders.
She has been closely involved in assisting the local community and businesses in Hammersmith and Fulham for over 20 years. She and her husband live in Fulham.
She is qualified to practise law in NSW, (Australia), England & Wales and the USA (NY State).