Our aspiring lawyers in Year 12 recently swapped the classroom for the courtroom in an exciting day exploring careers in law.

Thanks to LAE’s partnership with top law firm Latham & Watkins, students in the law elective had the incredible opportunity to visit the Old Bailey, one of the most famous criminal courts in the UK. They had a fascinating talk from HH Judge Tayton, who gave them an insider’s view of what it is like to be a judge, including a frank discussion of the challenging aspects. Then students joined the public gallery to see a real murder trial unfold from the public gallery, giving them a gripping first-hand experience of the criminal justice system in action.

After the court, students headed to Gray’s Inn for lunch and a guided tour, stepping into the world of barristers. They got to network with legal professionals at different stages of their careers, gaining valuable insights into the journey to becoming a barrister and the history of the Inns of Court. They even got to picture themselves as barristers when they tried on the iconic horsehair wigs!

For the 50 students who are taking law as an elective, this trip was a fantastic way to see the legal profession from multiple angles, showing that the path to becoming a lawyer can take many different forms.

One student said, "It was an eye-opening day, and I liked being able to talk to barristers one-on-one about what they like about their jobs."

We look forward to seeing which of these students the UK's next top barristers or judges!