Mr. Mather and the Law Department were privileged to welcome barristers, and former students, Bede Porter and Patience Abladey into school to talk to the Year 12 Law students about becoming a barrister.
Bede left St Joseph’s in 2011 and is in the middle of his pupillage based at Crown Chambers in Hull. Since he left us, he has completed a History degree and all his training to become a barrister before embarking on his current role.
Patience left St Joseph’s in 2012 and works as a barrister out of Trinity Chambers in Newcastle upon Tyne. Since she left us, she has completed a law degree and all her training to become a barrister before embarking on her current role.
Bede and Patience informed the students of the different ways of becoming a barrister. The journey doesn’t have to start with a law degree, any degree will show the required skills to becoming a barrister along with a law conversion course. They explained the different ways that students can fund their education and training including scholarships and student loans. Finances should not be a barrier to any of our students becoming a barrister due to the number of opportunities available for various types of funding.
Bede explained that pupillages are difficult to come by but that is not a reason to not pursue the career. Patience told us that being a barrister is a calling and becomes a lifestyle, not a just a job.
Students then asked some probing questions about Bede and Patience’s careers and about how Chambers work.
Mr. Mather and the Law students wish to say a big thank you to Bede and Patience for giving up their time to talk to us in such an interesting and informative way. I am extremely proud of them both and it is worth remembering that any of our students can follow in their footsteps too!
