*/
As a young female aspiring barrister from a small mining town in West Yorkshire, my journey to the Bar certainly tested my resolve and determination. The difficulties cannot be emphasised enough; there will be numerous hurdles and triumphs. This is not a career that is easy to walk into but, in my view, the job is certainly worth the hard path. Through perseverance and sheer drive, I ultimately secured a tenancy and in this article I want to share my experiences, provide insights and offer advice to those starting out on their journey to a legal career.
Casting my mind back to my school days, which feel like a lifetime ago, I attended a state school in Castleford, a place known for being, quite frankly, rough. Despite its reputation, I love my Castleford roots and they have kept me grounded. While my school was neither the worst nor the best, it wasn’t particularly focused on higher education. In fact, it was quite the opposite kind of school you would imagine a barrister to come from. There was little guidance on career paths or the significance of higher education. As a teenager, I was indecisive and rebellious, thinking I had all the time in the world to figure out my future. I paid very little attention to career goals and what I would need to achieve academically to get there. I didn’t revise for a single GCSE and managed to come away with what I thought were good grades (until I was competing for pupillage against those achieving A*s).
During my school years, although I had a huge interest in performing arts and imagined a career as a professional dancer, I had not really given much thought to my future. I mean, I was 16; who knows at that age what they want to do for the rest of their lives, right? Post-school, I still couldn’t decide what to do next, so I enrolled in a BTEC National Diploma in Public Services. While the course was not entirely to my liking, it ignited my love for law.
One pivotal moment was observing a murder trial during my law module. The trial of five teenagers who had beaten a taxi driver to death in Bradford was a harrowing experience that cemented my interest in law and advocacy. After college, I enrolled in a part-time LLB; however, after just six months, I dropped out as the work was just too hard and I felt I wasn’t cut out for it after all.
I then pursued my interest in the performing arts and became a professional dancer. Yet at 21 years old I found myself with a baby on the way, so that career was no longer an option. Coming from a background with no university-educated family members, limited financial resources, and having dropped out of university once already, I initially didn’t consider further education. Instead, I used an inheritance to start a café, which I ran successfully for several years.
Despite the success of my café, I yearned for something more. Having a child gave me back the impetus and drive to pursue my dream of a legal career, so I decided to try again. I applied and was accepted to study law at Leeds Beckett University in 2013. Balancing my studies with running a business, caring for my daughter and managing a household was incredibly tough, but my determination drove me forward. Over the next few years, my life was a blur of studying, working, and parenting, with many sleepless nights and moments of self-doubt. I am proud to say that I graduated with a First Class Honours.
Funding for Bar school was a further hurdle. The £16,000 fees were daunting and neither I nor my family had that kind of money. I leased out my café but still needed additional funds. I was awarded a Major Scholarship from the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, which covered my fees and provided a crucial vote of confidence in my potential.
Bar school itself was challenging, with a rigorous workload that tested my limits, akin to exam week, every week. Balancing studies with a part-time job and caring for my daughter drove me into despair at times. However, I remained focused and determined to prove to the naysayers that I could do it.
One of the lowest points in my journey was when I was explicitly told that my background and being a young mother made me unsuitable for a career at the Bar. This was a deeply hurtful moment and shook my confidence. However, I used this setback as motivation to prove my detractors wrong. I sought out mentors who believed in my potential and provided guidance and encouragement. Their support was invaluable in helping me navigate the difficult times.
Then comes the search for pupillage – another part of the journey which for many is riddled with pitfalls and low points. Rejections, self-doubt and the pressure to conform to a specific mould can be overwhelming. I experienced numerous rejections before securing my pupillage. Each rejection felt like a personal failure, but it also served as a learning experience.
Securing pupillage was a defining moment in my career. It was a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering belief in my dream. However, this was just the beginning.
As a pupil, the initial months were challenging as I adapted to the demands of the role, balancing my duties with continuous learning and development. One of the most significant challenges was managing the heavy workload while maintaining a high standard of work. Imposter syndrome sets in and, at times, you feel like you do not know what you are doing. When I learnt that this is a normal feeling and is even experienced by those who have been made King’s Counsel, it almost made it easier to silence the inner voice.
For those starting out on this journey, these are my key tips:
The journey to pupillage is undoubtedly challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. My experiences – both the ups and the downs – have shaped me into the barrister I am today. I hope that sharing my story provides some inspiration and reassurance.
Remember that no matter where you come from, or the obstacles you face, if you have talent, determination, resilience and self-belief it is still possible to achieve your dreams. The legal profession needs diverse voices and experiences, and each of you has the potential to make a significant impact.
Chelsea Brooke-Ward is Head of Employment at Park Square Barristers. She is an expert in employment law, adept at managing high-stakes cases involving discrimination, unfair dismissal as well as workplace disputes. Chelsea is the author of The Diary of a Pupil: an ordinary girl breaking into an extraordinary world (Independently published: March 2024).
As a young female aspiring barrister from a small mining town in West Yorkshire, my journey to the Bar certainly tested my resolve and determination. The difficulties cannot be emphasised enough; there will be numerous hurdles and triumphs. This is not a career that is easy to walk into but, in my view, the job is certainly worth the hard path. Through perseverance and sheer drive, I ultimately secured a tenancy and in this article I want to share my experiences, provide insights and offer advice to those starting out on their journey to a legal career.
Casting my mind back to my school days, which feel like a lifetime ago, I attended a state school in Castleford, a place known for being, quite frankly, rough. Despite its reputation, I love my Castleford roots and they have kept me grounded. While my school was neither the worst nor the best, it wasn’t particularly focused on higher education. In fact, it was quite the opposite kind of school you would imagine a barrister to come from. There was little guidance on career paths or the significance of higher education. As a teenager, I was indecisive and rebellious, thinking I had all the time in the world to figure out my future. I paid very little attention to career goals and what I would need to achieve academically to get there. I didn’t revise for a single GCSE and managed to come away with what I thought were good grades (until I was competing for pupillage against those achieving A*s).
During my school years, although I had a huge interest in performing arts and imagined a career as a professional dancer, I had not really given much thought to my future. I mean, I was 16; who knows at that age what they want to do for the rest of their lives, right? Post-school, I still couldn’t decide what to do next, so I enrolled in a BTEC National Diploma in Public Services. While the course was not entirely to my liking, it ignited my love for law.
One pivotal moment was observing a murder trial during my law module. The trial of five teenagers who had beaten a taxi driver to death in Bradford was a harrowing experience that cemented my interest in law and advocacy. After college, I enrolled in a part-time LLB; however, after just six months, I dropped out as the work was just too hard and I felt I wasn’t cut out for it after all.
I then pursued my interest in the performing arts and became a professional dancer. Yet at 21 years old I found myself with a baby on the way, so that career was no longer an option. Coming from a background with no university-educated family members, limited financial resources, and having dropped out of university once already, I initially didn’t consider further education. Instead, I used an inheritance to start a café, which I ran successfully for several years.
Despite the success of my café, I yearned for something more. Having a child gave me back the impetus and drive to pursue my dream of a legal career, so I decided to try again. I applied and was accepted to study law at Leeds Beckett University in 2013. Balancing my studies with running a business, caring for my daughter and managing a household was incredibly tough, but my determination drove me forward. Over the next few years, my life was a blur of studying, working, and parenting, with many sleepless nights and moments of self-doubt. I am proud to say that I graduated with a First Class Honours.
Funding for Bar school was a further hurdle. The £16,000 fees were daunting and neither I nor my family had that kind of money. I leased out my café but still needed additional funds. I was awarded a Major Scholarship from the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, which covered my fees and provided a crucial vote of confidence in my potential.
Bar school itself was challenging, with a rigorous workload that tested my limits, akin to exam week, every week. Balancing studies with a part-time job and caring for my daughter drove me into despair at times. However, I remained focused and determined to prove to the naysayers that I could do it.
One of the lowest points in my journey was when I was explicitly told that my background and being a young mother made me unsuitable for a career at the Bar. This was a deeply hurtful moment and shook my confidence. However, I used this setback as motivation to prove my detractors wrong. I sought out mentors who believed in my potential and provided guidance and encouragement. Their support was invaluable in helping me navigate the difficult times.
Then comes the search for pupillage – another part of the journey which for many is riddled with pitfalls and low points. Rejections, self-doubt and the pressure to conform to a specific mould can be overwhelming. I experienced numerous rejections before securing my pupillage. Each rejection felt like a personal failure, but it also served as a learning experience.
Securing pupillage was a defining moment in my career. It was a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering belief in my dream. However, this was just the beginning.
As a pupil, the initial months were challenging as I adapted to the demands of the role, balancing my duties with continuous learning and development. One of the most significant challenges was managing the heavy workload while maintaining a high standard of work. Imposter syndrome sets in and, at times, you feel like you do not know what you are doing. When I learnt that this is a normal feeling and is even experienced by those who have been made King’s Counsel, it almost made it easier to silence the inner voice.
For those starting out on this journey, these are my key tips:
The journey to pupillage is undoubtedly challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. My experiences – both the ups and the downs – have shaped me into the barrister I am today. I hope that sharing my story provides some inspiration and reassurance.
Remember that no matter where you come from, or the obstacles you face, if you have talent, determination, resilience and self-belief it is still possible to achieve your dreams. The legal profession needs diverse voices and experiences, and each of you has the potential to make a significant impact.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
