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The power of pro bono: Emily’s volunteering experience

Emily Andrew is a barrister at Citadel Chambers. 

After earning a first class degree from University of Worcester and a distinction in her Barrister Training Course from BPP Law School, she took on a pupillage with the Crown Prosecution Service, where she prosecuted cases in Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

She is now a Third Six Pupil with Citadel, and volunteers as a barrister with the Advocate charity in her spare time. Before this, she also volunteered as an Appropriate Adult with Youth Support Services, Worcester.

Emily is a proud alumna of the Mock Trial Competitions, progressing to the National Final in Edinburgh with her school in 2019. She has been giving back as a volunteer with Young Citizens since 2023, supporting our immersive legal education events and mentoring aspiring students.

To mark Pro Bono Week 2024 and celebrate the #PowerOfProBono, we had a chat with Emily about life as a pupil barrister and why she became a Mock Trials volunteer.

 

Why did you want to volunteer for Young Citizens?

I wanted to volunteer with Young Citizens for two reasons. Firstly, I am passionate about making the profession more accessible. Secondly, competing in the competition was my first experience of the profession, and I would love to give young people the same experience I had.

Mock Trials enables young people who have not previously been exposed to the profession the chance to experience the job. It is a chance to develop their public speaking skills and have an inspiring legal education experience.

 

As an alumna of the Bar Mock Trial competition, how did you benefit from the programme?

The Bar Mock Trial Competition was my first experience of the legal profession, and without it, I would not be a barrister now.

The competition benefitted me both professionally and personally. Professionally, put simply I would not have known how much I enjoy advocacy: formulating arguments, trying to persuade, make a case theory. All of these skills I first experienced on the Bar Mock Trials, I now use every single day.

As well as public speaking, confidence, and knowing that the wig life is for me (!), the the competition gave me a chance to experience a world I had never seen before. Going to the National Final in Edinburgh is a day I will not forget!

I have friends from the competition I still speak to today. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

 

What do you think are the biggest barriers young people face to careers in law?

I think there are two main barriers: accessibility and finance. Firstly, coming from a very small county, the legal profession is tiny. This meant gaining any form of experience in the profession is nigh-on-impossible. Young Citizens is the only organisation I am aware of that allows young people not only to see a trial, but also run it themselves.

I am extremely passionate about increasing accessibility to the Bar, and the first step is awareness – simply making young people aware the profession exists, and how to get there.

Secondly, finance. Becoming a barrister, or solicitor, is expensive. University fees, Barrister Training Course/Solicitors Qualifying Exams are both expensive, and not fully funded by student finance. Of course, scholarships are available, but these are few and far between. Taking part in the competition gives the young people experiences to apply for university and scholarships should they so wish.

 

Why do you think legal education in schools is so important? How does it help learners to become active citizens?

Legal education is vital in schools. And I do not mean legal education to join the profession. Simply teaching actions and consequences from a young age is vital to ensuring young people can be their best selves.

Furthermore, teaching young people basic theories early in their education enables them to form educated opinions and views. There are many young people in today’s society who do not, or cannot, have these conversations at home. The work Young Citizens does to empower pupils is invaluable to their futures.

 

What does the “Power of Pro Bono” mean to you? Why is it so important that legal professionals give their time – and how have you benefitted from the experience?

My take on this is quite simple. We all had to start somewhere. It does not matter where you are on your professional journey, we must remember someone, somewhere, inspired us. And it is only right to give that back.

The young people participating in these competitions are the future of the Bar. The better equipped they are to move forward in this profession, the better. I first volunteered in my pupillage year. I met judges I now regularly appear in front of – it was far less scary doing my own advocacy in front of them after seeing the students do the same!

I had the most incredible time volunteering on the project last year, and I look forward to continuing the experience as a mentor and regional co-ordinator this coming year!

 

What have you learned from your first year or so at the Bar? What advice would you give to your younger self?

I have learnt so many lessons from the last 12 months but have my “Big Three”.

One: it is okay to make mistakes. In fact, it is important to make mistakes, so you can learn from them. Two: there is no such thing as overprepared, but there is such thing as underprepared. The more you know, the more you can assist the court! Know your case. Three: be kind. Always. Be kind to the judges, the court clerks, the cleaners, the security. Perhaps most importantly, the ushers. They can make your day awful, should you not heed my advice.

Be kind to your opponent – we are doing a job, at the end of the day. In fact, I often go for coffee with my opponent after court. We are not enemies like you see on the TV. I wish I could tell my younger self that I AM good enough for this profession. Coming from a small town, single parent household, does not mean I am “not the right fit”.

I would tell my younger self to have fun, enjoy the experiences. The future can worry about itself.

Interested in volunteering with us? We are always recruiting volunteers from the legal sector and beyond! Find out more and register your interest.

 

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