Birr student goes inside the courtroom to look into law!

The Bar of Ireland took an Offaly student inside the courtroom last week with the commencement of its 'Look into Law' Transition Year Programme.

Anna Rothwell from St. Brendan’s Community School in Birr was one of a group of students from 60 schools across the country to take part in the programme, which is now in its eleventh year.

The 'Look into Law' programme offers Transition Year students a thorough understanding of the legal system, court proceedings, and the responsibilities of barristers. A number of students who have participated in the scheme since it was first established in 2015 have gone on to pursue a legal career.

Across the week students explored the legal world in an immersive way, gaining insight into the day-to-day life of a barrister, visiting Kings Inn and touring the historic Four Courts. They received an address by the Chief Justice, The Hon Mr Donal O’Donnell and took part in an audience with High Court Judge The Hon Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty.

On the final day, students participated in a mock trial allowing a realistic insight into the Irish legal system.

The overall aim of the programme is to provide a unique opportunity and access to the legal world that will both inform and inspire students of all backgrounds to consider a legal career as they pursue future studies and careers.

Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland Seán Guerin SC said students gain "valuable insights" into how justice is administered and the vital role advocates play in society by "engaging directly with the profession and seeing the law in action."

For the first number of years the programme was fully in-person, however it has now evolved to take a hybrid approach, consisting of the first day online and three days in person. This year the online day was open to all schools that applied but were unsuccessful in the lottery that selected 60 schools to attend for the full programme.

Of the 60 participating schools in this year's programme, 23 were DEIS schools, accounting for 38%, reflecting The Bar of Ireland’s continued commitment to diversity and outreach.