Reflections on a placement with 10,000 Black Interns

For a long time, the Bar and its barristers eluded me. The wigs and gowns were a mystery, and the path to wearing them seemed even more so.

Fortunately, I secured an internship through 10K Black Interns and the Bar Council, which gave me the chance to explore first-hand how advocates operate in their unique world over the course of six weeks. I’ve spent each week in a different set of chambers so far: week one with Libertas, and the following week at Outer Temple. Both experiences gave me deeper insight into the workings of criminal and civil barristers, respectively. With these experiences in mind, I was excited to spend time at 5 Pump Court. Its status as a multidisciplinary set particularly intrigued me, and I was keen to find out how barristers approached balancing a mixed practice.

And find out, I certainly did!

On Monday, I observed a credit hire matter at Clerkenwell & Shoreditch County Court. Interestingly, this hearing focused not on the core claim, but on an application by the solicitors to come off the record. It was enlightening to see that even the administrative aspects of the solicitor-client relationship, like ceasing representation, could still involve counsel.

Tuesday took me to the City of London Magistrates’ Court to observe a criminal case involving a guilty plea to texting while driving. The defendant applied to avoid disqualification on grounds of exceptional hardship. It was eye-opening to see how advocacy must adapt to strict legal thresholds and judicial discretion, even in more “straightforward” cases.

The theme of unpredictability and evidential thresholds continued that afternoon through to Thursday, as I observed a contempt of court hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, brought on the basis of family proceedings. A positive judgment for our client was ultimately made due to the differing evidentiary standards in civil and criminal law, with the applicant unable to meet the higher criminal threshold of proof beyond reasonable doubt. The interplay between civil and criminal considerations in the case was truly fascinating.

It wasn’t just the barristers that were welcoming! Outside of court, I also learned a great deal from the clerking team. Watching them manage the diverse needs of a mixed-practice set highlighted the importance of communication, transparency and mutual trust between clerks and counsel. That relationship is clearly foundational to a barrister’s success.

What stood out most from this week and my internship as a whole is just how multifaceted life at the Bar is. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I received was this: “enjoy the journey”. The path to pupillage can be long and winding, but the process should also be fulfilling and meaningful. If this week affirmed anything, it's that despite its challenges, the Bar is the right place for anyone willing to commit and I hope that more people from underrepresented backgrounds feel empowered to see themselves here too.