Alex Sutton attends the Social Mobility Foundation’s Manchester Law Futures Day

August 5, 2019

Exchange Chambers’ Alex Sutton last week attended a Law Futures Day event for sixth form students interested in pursuing a career in law. The day was organised by the Social Mobility Foundation and was held at DAC Beachcroft in Manchester.

Alex participated in the career carousel part of the event, which involved groups of students rotating around the room to different tables, speaking with law professionals and asking questions about their roles, what they do day-to-day, and the path they took in order to pursue their chosen careers.

Alex, along with several barristers from Deans Court Chambers, made up the barrister table. The students that attended commented on how insightful they found the experience of speaking with the law practitioners, in particular the barrister table.

The issue of social mobility and access to the Bar has rightly become a key talking point in recent years, with the Bar Council launching the ‘I am the Bar’ campaign in the summer of 2018 to profile the experiences of those who have succeeded at the Bar from non-traditional backgrounds. The campaign exists to raise the profile of social mobility and support fair access to the Bar, and to encourage aspiring barristers from non-traditional backgrounds.

In a bid to increase access to the Bar, Exchange Chambers earlier this year announced their plans to launch a pupillage academy, where they will take on 6 pupils in September 2020. Previously, Exchange Chambers has recruited 3 pupils every year.

Bill Braithwaite QC, Head of Exchange Chambers, said the Set was committed to breaking new ground and increasing access to the Bar for aspiring barristers.

He commented:

“The launch of a pupillage academy – in effect, a national centre of excellence for aspiring barristers – marks our commitment to the future of Chambers and our confidence in the future of the Bar.”

“The object is to encourage students at school and university, mentor those who are keen, help with the application process, provide a first-class pupillage and mentor new tenants for the first three years of tenancy.”

Exchange Chambers are currently accepting applications for their next intake for mini-pupillage. For more information and details on how to apply, click here.