Below is a student testimonial from the recent visit:

“After an hour of navigating London's morning rush hour, we arrived at the event and began our day by introducing ourselves to our peers as well as the Chair of the Junior Legal Fellowship Programme. We then sat down for a talk by Stephen Akinsanya, a criminal defence barrister who has appeared before the Supreme Court on various occasions. He spoke about his journey into the legal profession and the difficulties he faced as a boy from a disadvantaged part of Croydon. 

Following this, Dr Tunde Okewale OBE gave us advice on how to network with professionals and the importance of seeking opportunities even when it may seem unrealistic. We even got the chance to take turns trying on his traditional barrister's wig and gown, making the experience feel much more real.  

During our lunch break, we were able to network with lawyers from various sectors and listen to a panel of barristers discussing the difficulties they have faced in their profession. One panellist even flew in from Trinidad that morning, making our morning rush hour struggles seem pretty minor. The panellists discussed the financial setbacks they faced while training as a barrister due to the expensive training and tuition and gave us advice on the scholarships available. 

Now, onto the highlight of the day. We took part in a mock trial in the Royal Courts of Justice. The trial was based on a real court case and so taking part definitely gave me a different perspective on the case. 

To finish the day, we were treated with a visit by two judges, Oba Nsugbe KC, SAN and Dr Sally Penni MBE, who shared their top tips for making it in the industry. Dr Sally Penni MBE also directed us to her podcast (“Law and Guidance with Dr Sally Penni MBE”) to learn more about various legal cases and how the law is applied contextually. 

Overall, being able to visit the Royal Courts of Justice was a very surreal experience, considering its history and prestige. We even found a book dating back to 1867, containing accounts of previous legal cases.”