Look into Law TY Programme opens to 16,000 students.

• Over 16,000 students in 360 secondary schools across 26 counties to take part
• 6,000 additional students taking part in comparison to last year

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Following the overwhelming success of last year’s online programme, The Bar of Ireland’s annual programme for Transition Year students – Look into Law – is underway for 2022 and promises to reach even greater numbers of TY students across the country.

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.

There are over 16,000 students from 368 schools (66 being DEIS schools) registered, which is a 60% increase in students taking part since last year. When the Programme first started seven years ago, there were just 100 students taking part.

Contributors on this year’s programme include the newly appointed Chief Justice, the Court Presidents, Chair of the Bar and numerous of barristers, solicitors and legal correspondents sharing their journey through their careers as well as those involved in areas such as climate law and pro-bono services at the Bar. The programme also demonstrates the career paths open to students, including careers as a judicial assistant, a prison warden, or a mediator.

Building on success

This is the second year the programme is taking place entirely online due to the ongoing Covid-19 travel and social distancing restrictions, giving greater accessibility to students nationwide.

Following consultation with a focus group of TY co-ordinators, the TY team increased the programme’s content and flexibility. The two new innovations announced for this year programme are:

• bite-sized chapters offering greater flexibility in accessing the programme
• two live national Q&A discussion panels, between students and practising barristers.

Q&A – Bringing law closer to the students

This year students will also get the opportunity to engage directly with a panel of barristers through the introduction of a live national Q&A panel discussion. The Bar of Ireland is inviting participating students (through their teachers) to pose any of their questions to a panel of barristers.

Launching the Programme, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Maura McNally SC, said:

“One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been the ability to take our TY programme online and affording even more students the opportunity to gain an extensive insight into the different areas of law, the various legal professions and general knowledge about that law that govern our society.

“Last year saw record participation with 10,000 students, so to have a 60 percent increase with 16,000 students from every county in Ireland signed up is really exciting. The Bar of Ireland is looking forward to welcoming them and giving many their first taste of a life in law”.

A particular congratulations goes to TY Co-ordinators and teachers across the State who have engaged with us, and continue to provide for their students throughout Covid.

One of the schools taking part this year is St. Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhills, Dublin 12. The Transition Year Co-Ordinator, Ms Deborah Skelly said:

“The students are really looking forward to this year’s Programme and they are particularly excited about the classroom aspect this year, as I am sure many a debate and discussion will evolve from the modules.

“For students curious about a career in law, it’s a great opportunity to have direct access to some of the country’s best legal mind, but it is also excellent to give all students knowledge and awareness of Ireland’s legal system and how to access it”.

 The programme is hosted on a secure platform and schools can still sign up here.

Further information:

The five modules cover the following:

• Beginning of a barrister’s career
• Criminal Law
• Civil Law
• The media and the law
• Preparing for trial

Pictured above (l to r)

Pic 1: Maichaela Sanbilla (15), left, and Siqne Taquba (16);

Pic 2: Ruby Martin (16), Saoirse McDonald (15), Ellen Dunne (16), and Madison Killoran (15) and

Pic 3: Teacher Ms Deborah Skelly; all from from St. Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhills, Dublin 12.