In the legal profession, lawyers are split into two groups and the senior group are called barristers. They are courtroom advocates and are increasingly being called upon as experts outside the courtroom.
At Nottingham, the Bar Society's aims and objectives are focused around a career at the Bar. Here Daniel Ogilvie, Vice President, tells us more about their work.
What we do
In the courtroom, Barristers are the people who wear wigs and black gowns and say things like "Objection!" and "You killed him, didn't you!"
Writing a verbal argument is our bread and butter, so the Bar Society run training events focused around these, as well as talks on the path to the Bar and trips to the Inns of Court and careers/pupillage fairs in London. We also invite inspirational professionals to give talks about their careers and recently welcomed Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, to the University (pictured with the Bar Society committee).
Not what you might first expect
Every year at Fresher's Fair, the first question we are asked is, "So what bars do you go to?" To be honest, it's a fun way for each new committee to bond so we've made our peace with it.
My experience
I came to University knowing I wanted to be a barrister, but many people don't know what path they want to follow when they start. BarSoc is a great way to find out about pursuing a career at the Bar.
Advocating for yourself and others is also a great life skill, and I have been lucky to learn to do this through my time with the society. There are so many excellent events and opportunities (training, mock trials, work placements) that there really is no reason not to get involved.
What we offer
You can take part in:
- talks with barristers and judges (at the junior and senior ends of each scale) about their experiences, the Bar, and advocacy
- trips to the Crown Court to see advocacy in action
- training including mock trials
- application workshops
- work placements
- social events (usually involving cake)
- collaborations with other societies such as the Public Speaking Society, as well as other course and law-based societies
- trips to the Inns of Court (very important), Parliament, the Supreme Court and pupillage/careers fairs
This year we have also planned our first international trip to The Hague, Netherlands, where we'll be visiting the various courts in the seat of international law. I'm sure this will be something we'll repeat in the future.
The committee is a friendly face on campus and I have met a huge variety of people over the last two years around the Law and Social Sciences Building, in the library and at the gym.
Get in involved
We have an active Facebook page and group, and can be found on the SU website (you can sign up to receive our wonderful emails there too).
Daniel Ogilvie
Vice President 2016/17
Bar Society
Find out more
Posted on Friday 24th March 2017