Look into Law TY Programme 2023 welcomes students back!

01 February 2023

100 students representing 24 counties tour the Law Libraries, King’s Inns and Four Courts
DEIS schools make up 40% of places

Now in its 8th year, The Bar of Ireland’s Look into Law TY Programme welcomed 100 transition year students from across the State back to the Distillery Building from 30th January to 3rd February.

This programme gives TY students a comprehensive insight into the role of the legal system, courts and the work of barristers. It is open to all schools and is relevant to all students, not simply those interested in pursuing a career in law.

Launching the Programme, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Sara Phelan SC, said:

The importance of engaging the younger generations in relation to the operation of their legal system and their understanding, is an important part of securing respect for its institutions, and by extension securing our system of rule of law and democracy.

Our TY Programme is the first introduction to life at the Bar – and as such, of those attending this year, we hope that some will be returning in a short number of years. Maintaining that connection is vital.

Following the overwhelming success of the past two year’s online, the programme has restored the in-person element, while also keeping several aspects online.

Schools designated as Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) have always been an integral cohort in the Bar’s TY Programme. Pre-Covid that representation was 20% of places. Today, it is 40%.

Public legal education is now a mainstream element of organisations such as the Bar. Accessibility, outreach to all sections of society, as well as forming lasting relationships with educators – all of these now shape our TY Programme.

The Programme

Over the week, students heard from The Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell, Chair of the Bar Council, Sara Phelan SC, members of the judiciary, and numerous junior and senior barristers – sharing the journey of their careers as well as exploring civil and criminal law practice. Specialist practice areas such as immigration law, employment law and sports law will also be highlighted.

As part of the programme, students took part in a Mock Trial to broaden their understanding of the various roles of participants in a trial, as well as tour the historical King’s Inns, the Four Courts and the Criminal Courts of Justice.

The Big Legal Q&A: bringing law closer to students

Due to last years overwhelming success, the Look into Law Big Legal Q&A returns. Students got the opportunity to engage directly with a panel of barristers, and pose questions about life at the Bar, how the legal system operates, as well as career advice!