Each year, the invaluable opportunity of a barrister mentor from across the country is provided for eager undergraduates looking to pursue a career at the Bar. Advancing the scheme, now in its 4th year, the Bar Society invites barristers, especially Durham Alumni, to become inspiring mentors for 2025/26.
In the previous academic year, out of the society’s 250+ members, over 30 students were selected to be mentored by over 30 esteemed legal professionals - given one on one communication over application support, career advice and building courtroom skills.
With students selected based on dedication, responsibility and enthusiasm for the Bar, they were matched with barristers over their specialised areas and similar legal interests. This allowed for flexible, virtual, or in-person interactions, amounting to at least 5 hours over the course of the year.
Due to such a high level of interest from barristers in 2024, a second selection was made - meaning a greater number of chambers were mentioned on the Society’s outreaching social media platforms. Whilst raising chambers’ profiles, this also allows law students to enhance network connections for future career relationships.
Becoming a mentor only entails communicating, mainly via email, with a selected student from November 2025 to July 2026. In return, this influences a new generation of legal professionals, allowing a mentor to share what they wish they’d known in their mentee’s position.
The Bar Society would like to sincerely thank all the 2024/25 mentors who so generously gave their time and expertise.
However, to illustrate the success of this scheme, we include the respective experiences of two mentees and one mentor – demonstrating its benefits and achievements from both perspectives.
Charlotte Rodney, a recently graduated mentee pursuing a Master of Laws, recalls that:
“I was honoured to be one of the successful applicants and was promptly paired up with my mentor, Elizabeth Dudley-Jones, a Regulatory Crime specialist. I cannot imagine my time studying Law without the support of the mentorship scheme and Elizabeth’s guidance. She has guided me through various applications, provided me insight on the day-to-day life of a Barrister, and been an advocate for me in every sense of the word. I cannot recommend applying for this scheme enough; it truly shaped my experience with Durham University and its Law School for the better.”
Giorgia Sessi, an experienced barrister at Parklane Plowden Chambers specialising in Family Law, says:
“I have been a mentor for Durham Bar Society for a number of years and I have had the pleasure of supporting bright, determined and motivated students in their journey to the Bar. I would not be at the Bar without the support of my own mentors and this experience allows me to give back what I have generously been given.”
Progressing to second year of her law course, Ms Sessi’s mentee Cara Sunderland speaks to how beneficial the scheme is:
“Shadowing Giorgia in her hearings was incredibly valuable when exploring family law and reflecting on what area I’d like to specialise in. From my mentor, I’ve gained not only a real introductory insight into the career, but also reassurance and advice from a highly qualified, experienced barrister whenever questions have arisen. I can only thank Giorgia and encourage more barristers to provide this experience for progressing students."
Interested in becoming a mentor for the 2025/26 scheme?
If you would consider becoming a mentor for the 2025/26 scheme, the link to the sign-up form is here.