Clodagh Bradley QC, Amy Mannion, Emma-Louise Fenelon, Head of Outreach Jo Moore and Charlotte Gilmartin this week volunteered at a ‘Becoming a Barrister Day’ for 16-18 year olds.
The event, hosted by the Inner Temple in collaboration with the Sutton Trust and other organisations, aims to challenge stereotypes about the profession and provide information about the journey to the Bar. The event was open to motivated students from backgrounds which are currently underrepresented at the Bar.
Students were introduced to the law in an interesting and interactive way and informed of the opportunities at the Bar. Clodagh, Amy and Jo sat on Q&A panels alongside other barristers and judges, speaking about their routes to the Bar and their diverse practices. Emma and Charlotte, along with the other volunteers, joined to lead interactive workshops and activities. The students worked in small groups on pleas in mitigation, and debated self-defence and assisted dying. They had a chance to practise their advocacy skills, get tips from real lawyers, and even try on wigs and gowns!
Feedback was overwhelming positive, the students found the event “inclusive” and “illuminating”. 1COR is delighted to see its goal of expanding knowledge of and access to the profession reflected in participants’ comments:
“Before the event I thought the Inn was elitist and exclusive. Now I think it is striving to make the career accessible for all people.”
“Initially I felt intimidated about attending but this changed drastically once I had met the barristers.”
“I thought the profession was exclusive to those who already have family in it. Now I believe that barristers can come from diverse backgrounds.”
Find out more about Inner Temple’s outreach work here, the Sutton Trust here , and 1COR’s equality and diversity recruitment here.
