Transition Years Look into Law with The Bar of Ireland in a new online model

Over 10,000 students in 320 schools to take part, 10 times higher than normal

The Bar of Ireland’s annual Look into Law TY Programme for Transition Year students kicks off today with a schedule of recorded webcasts and content aimed at giving TY students nationwide a first-hand look at the life of a barrister, and how the justice system works.

Now in its 6^th year, the Programme usually has a maximum of 100 participants (with a minimum of 20% of places reserved for students from DEIS schools) who attend a weeklong of activities in Dublin but this year, because of the Covid-19 travel and social distancing restrictions, it will be run entirely online and over the course of five weeks.

The virtual and accessible nature of Programme has meant that this year will see a 1,000% increase in participants, with some 10,000 students registered to participate from 320 schools across 26 counties in Ireland. Over 50 of schools participating are DEIS schools.

Each week a new pre-recorded module will be shared with teachers and students. These will begin with an introductory ‘Faces of the Bar’, where a selection of barristers will share their career highlights and experience with students, along with talks delivered by the judiciary, the Prison Service, and other justice agencies. The five modules are:

• Beginning of a barrister’s career
• Criminal Law
• Civil Law
• The media in the legal context
• Preparing for trial

Opening the Programme will be Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Ms Maura McNally SC. As the first woman to hold the position in four decades, students and teachers alike will no doubt be looking forward to her address.  Ahead of the Programme commencing she said:

“The core aim of our Look into Law Programme is that students understand the mechanics of law, but also to experience the human face and realities of those working in the field.  The Programme is always oversubscribed so while we are sorry to not be in a position to welcome the students to Dublin like we usually do, the silver lining of the situation is that we are able to reach more students with our online version. The five modules provide students with a real sense of the Irish legal landscape and hopefully inspire some students to pursue a career at the Bar.”

Ms Katherine McVeigh BL. and Ms Emily Gibson BL. have helped to design the Programme for the 10,000 students and their teachers. Ms Katherine McVeigh BL. said:

“Throughout the course of the Programme, students will have the opportunity to hear from some of the most distinguished and accomplished legal professionals in Ireland, including the Chief Justice and Court Presidents. The law forms an intrinsic part of our everyday lives and the aim of our Programme is to give students from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the various  aspects of law, ranging from how to forge a legal career and what happens at trial, right through to the different types of law and the importance of each.”

Teachers and students will receive at least two hours of module material each Monday morning comprising recoded webcasts, external links, quizzes and exercise and research material. The Programme is hosted on a secure platform by The Bar of Ireland and there are options for students to work on creative and research projects during the Programme.

Ahead of launching the TY Programme, The Bar of Ireland surveyed participating students on their views and opinions on varying areas of the law and fundamental rights and freedoms, and how Covid has impacted on them. The findings from the survey – with over approximately 2,500 responding –  will be revealed during The Bar of Ireland’s Justice Week 2021 which runs from March 1 to 5, with a focus on the impact that COVID-19 has had on citizens’ rights and the administration of justice.

If you would like to find out more, please go to the TY Programme page.