Law school duo to gain national barrister training and experience
Two University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) law students have won the chance to gain invaluable funded barrister training after clinching a national Access to the Bar Award.
Sanah Ehsan (21) from Preston and Jordan Wilford (25) who lives in Chorley and is originally from South Africa have both won the prestigious award managed by the national historic Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
It will now enable both students to spend two weeks in a full working court chambers. The first week will see the students working in a number of roles in the court, while the second will see them working alongside a judge as a marshall.
"I am delighted for Sanah and Jordan who are excellent ambassadors for the School of Law and the University of Central Lancashire. These awards are very well deserved"
The Middle Temple Access to the Bar scheme has been set up to encourage students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds with the potential to be barristers to gain valuable paid work experience in a working court environment.
It is hoped the experience will then enable the students to make an informed choice about whether to pursue a career as a barrister
The Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court that barristers, and students aspiring to become barristers, must join in order to enter practice. The Inns have the exclusive right to call students to practice at the Bar. Several UCLan lecturers from the School of Law and Social Science are members of an Inn of Court and each year graduates look to follow in their footsteps.
Competition for the Access to the Bar awards each year nationally is intense with each Law School eligible to nominate just two students.
Vivienne Ivins, Head of the School of Law and Social Science said “The awards will provide both students with valuable work experience in barristers chambers, as well as the experience of shadowing a judge in court, and funding.
“These are experiences that the students will remember for life and will be fantastic learning opportunities for them and, hopefully, will help in preparing them prepare for their future careers as barristers.”
Both Jordan and Sanah will now look to formalise dates for them to undergo their two weeks of training in the near future.
Vivienne added “We know that our students have the abilities and qualities to compete on a national and international stage and we will always bring opportunities to their attention and support them as they progress towards their chosen careers. I am delighted for Sanah and Jordan who are excellent ambassadors for the School of Law and the University of Central Lancashire. These awards are very well deserved.”