Exchange Chambers celebrates success of largest ever mentoring scheme

August 20, 2026

Exchange Chambers has celebrated the successful conclusion of its largest ever mentoring scheme, with aspiring barristers praising the support and experience they received during the 12-month programme.

A record 29 barristers from Exchange Chambers in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds took part in the scheme, mentoring students and young people who might otherwise lack access to the legal profession.

Over the course of the year, mentees received one-to-one support from barristers alongside advocacy sessions, interview preparation and opportunities to learn more about life at the Bar.

For mentee Alice Wyborn, the scheme helped her secure a BPC Scholarship after she had been unsuccessful at her first attempt. Support included mock interviews with barristers at Exchange.

“The scheme has been incredible and I cannot thank everyone at Chambers enough,” said Alice.

“Everybody involved in the scheme was super supportive and this really helped to build my confidence. I really appreciated the advocacy sessions during a year out when my exposure to advocacy exercises was limited.

“The mock interviews were also invaluable and allowed me to strengthen my interviewing skills so much.”

Laiba Dar said the scheme had helped her gain “further knowledge and understanding of a career at the Bar and the pupillage process”.

She added:

“Keeping such initiatives up will be really beneficial for aspiring barristers like myself, by giving further insights into the career, which can be quite difficult to obtain.”

Mollie Hammerton also praised the scheme, describing it as an “invaluable opportunity”.

Criminal barristers Stella Hayden and Steven Swift have been instrumental in the development of Exchange Chambers’ mentoring scheme.

Stella said:

“When we launched the scheme, we wanted to give aspiring barristers a point of contact within the profession who they could turn to for advice.

“It has been fantastic to see how the mentees have developed over the last 12 months. We hope the experience has given them greater confidence as well as a better understanding of what a career at the Bar involves.

“I know all of the barristers involved have really enjoyed taking part and we wish our mentees every success for the future.”

Steven added:

“One of the things you realise after many years at the Bar is how valuable it is for people starting out to be able to ask questions and get straightforward advice from someone already doing the job.

“There is a lot about becoming a barrister that you simply cannot pick up from a textbook. Sometimes it’s just helpful to sit down with someone who has been through it and ask them what they think.

“I’ve really enjoyed being involved in the scheme. The mentees have been enthusiastic, keen to learn and full of questions. I hope we’ve helped them understand the profession a little better and given them confidence as they take their next steps.”

Jonathan I’Anson, Chief Executive at Exchange Chambers, said:

“We are really proud of the success of the scheme and, in particular, the feedback we have received from our mentees. It is especially rewarding to see people benefiting from that support and achieving real success as they work towards a career at the Bar.

“We want talented people from all backgrounds to see the Bar as a career that is open to them. Having access to someone already in the profession, who can answer questions and offer advice based on their own experience, can be enormously helpful.

“I would like to thank our 29 barrister mentors for giving up their time over the last 12 months and congratulate all of our mentees. We look forward to following their progress over the coming years.”

Further details about Exchange Chambers’ next mentoring scheme, including how to apply, will be announced in due course.