Community Outreach

Devon Chambers has been and continues to remain engaged in working alongside schools, Colleges and Universities as part of our commitment to our community.  During what has been an unprecedented period of time for students and staff, technology has been a great asset for our student outreach work and our members have kept busy with various online events. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to in the last 12 months:

Bridging The Bar (BTB) – Devon Chambers is determined to play its part in increasing the equality of access to opportunities in the legal profession across all underrepresented groups. Chambers became a Partner of the BTB Mini-Pupillage Programme prior to its launch last year. As a Partner of the programme, we will be offering mini pupillages to several successful applicants.

BarNone – Chambers has committed itself to awarding 50% of mini pupillages to applicants from state school or BAME backgrounds. Emma Cross is the Head of Devon and Cornwall Schools in an exciting project aimed at delivering as many talks about a career at the Bar to state schools on the Western Circuit as possible. Jason Beal and Emma recently delivered talks as part of this scheme to Tor Bridge High School and Callywith College with many more talks lined up in the summer and autumn terms so far. Make sure you follow @BarNone on Twitter for more news and updates about their work. 

The Devon Chambers’ Student Forum (DCSF): Set up by Piers Norsworthy and now headed up by Danielle Metters, the DCSF offers the opportunity to discuss all aspects of life at the Bar with members of Devon Chambers. Two barristers discuss any topics which a student wishes to cover using an online platform. We are prepared to discuss anything that is related to a career at the Bar. Please see our Mini Pupillages section of the website for more information and how to apply.

Sutton Trust – Pathways to Law Insight Week: Judith Constable took part in a well-received panel event alongside other legal professionals aimed at 16-18 year olds. The Sutton Trust provided the following feedback: “The panel and your contributions were really brilliant in sharing with our students insight into the sector and helping them understand the many paths in and advice from your own experience – I certainly learned a lot and I am sure they did too!”

Truro College and University of Plymouth Law Society Talks – Rupert Taylor, Danielle Metters, Sophie Johns and Emma Cross all took part throughout the year in speaking to A-Level Law and University students about their paths to the Bar as well as sharing some top tips. We hope to deliver some more talks in person during the next academic year!

Please contact Emma Cross for more information and/or if you think we could help with a talk, project, moot or any other programme at your school, College, University or organisation.