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Radcliffe Chambers Student Barrister Experience Programme shortlisted for UK Diversity Legal Awards

We’re very pleased to be a finalist for Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year (Chambers) at the UK Diversity Legal Awards, which will take place on 21 November.

In July 2018, a group of eight sixth-form students, who are considering a career in law, visited chambers for a two-day experience programme, which aimed to inspire and support young people from backgrounds that are under-represented at the Bar.

The programme included an introduction to the legal profession and court system, interactive workshops on contract law, wills, landlord and tenant disputes, advocacy and interview skills, as well as a visit to court.

Each student was assigned a barrister mentor, of whom they could ask questions throughout the experience, and with whom they can stay in touch for advice and support throughout their education and career.

We gathered anonymous feedback on all of the programme’s sessions and were delighted to find that 96% of the responses rated them as excellent or good.

 

Students particularly enjoyed our interactive contract law workshop, which introduced them to fundamental principles through the analysis of a mobile phone contract. One participant commented: “I enjoyed the workshop because it made me realise how relevant contracts are to my everyday life, and it was a very interactive session.”

Kate Selway, Radcliffe Chambers barrister and course director said: “Widening access to the profession is an important issue for all of us here at Radcliffe Chambers. Many of whom are involved in mentoring and shadowing schemes. We are so pleased that this chambers-wide initiative was met with such enthusiasm, both within chambers and externally.and we are very proud to be nominated for the UK Diversity Legal Awards.”

“Thank you very much to everybody involved, including the judges who gave up their time to meet the students at court, the fantastic team at Big Voice London and, of course, the students who participated.”

The initiative has been covered in the legal press, including in Legal Cheek. You can read their article here.

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