University: King’s College London (Undergraduate); University of Oxford (Masters)
Degree: Law
Year of call: 2024
Position: Barrister
Pronouns: He/him
Did you ever have the opportunity to speak to a practitioner prior to deciding to become a barrister?
Not really. I was the first in my family to attend university and I came to the UK alone for my LLB. Before law school, I didn’t know a single lawyer and had no real idea how to break into this career. That changed when I joined Bridging the Bar and was connected with Srishti and Adrian from Coram Chambers. Through them, I had my first real opportunity to speak to practising barristers and demystify life at the Bar.
How did you narrow down which chambers to apply to and what mattered most in that decision?
I had two priorities: the nature of the work and chambers’ culture.
I always knew that I wanted to practise family law because of its person-centred approach and the impact that it has on difficult moments in people’s lives. Having studied and lived in London since moving to the UK, I decided to build my practice here.
Pupillage carries a steep learning curve, so I wanted to train somewhere supportive that offered the best opportunity to progress to tenancy. Finding an inclusive environment was crucial. Coram’s commitment to diversity was a huge factor in my decision. At Coram, my race, sexuality and nationality have never been seen as barriers; I’ve always felt valued for who I am.
What kind of experience (formal or informal) proved most useful when applying for pupillage – and why?
A mixture of legal and non-legal experience is most useful. Legal experience is undoubtedly important but chambers like Coram recognise that not everyone has the same access to those opportunities.
Interestingly, the experiences discussed most during my pupillage interviews were often my non-legal ones. I was the chief musician of a Chinese orchestra and also volunteered for an LGBTQ+ charity. Both shaped the empathetic and reflective approach that I bring to my practice. So, don’t downplay your non-legal experiences! They can be the thing that sets you apart.
What was the best way to learn effectively as a pupil?
Through making mistakes. During pupillage, I constantly felt as though I was being watched, although that pressure was mostly something I put on myself. I was so careful about everything I did and said because I worried that a single mistake could somehow jeopardise my offer of tenancy.
Later, I learned to accept that mistakes are an essential part of the learning process, not a sign of failure. When I got something wrong, I understood what to avoid and what to look out for next time. Those lessons often stayed with me far more than if I’d simply been told what to do, and they ultimately built confidence in my own judgement.
Talk us through a case you worked on as a pupil – what was your role and what did you learn about advocacy or preparation?
I was instructed to represent a vulnerable party in my first fact-finding hearing just two months into my second six. I took three important lessons from this case which I still bear in mind today:
- Read everything with a critical eye and don’t take anything for granted. The detail matters!
- Be concise in cross-examination. Ask short, focused questions with clear objectives.
- Understand your tribunal. Knowing the judge’s concerns and where their focus lies is key to presenting a successful case.
Please outline your practice area, and walk us through what a recent working day looked like for you.
I work in family law. No two days are the same, but my day usually starts with an early morning commute to court, followed by a pre-hearing conference with my client at 9:00am. The hearing is listed to start at 10:00am, although there’s always some waiting time. During this time, I’ll speak with the other side’s lawyer (if they have one) to narrow the issue.
The hearing itself may last around an hour, after which I’ll debrief my client. I’ll then spend the next hour or two drafting the court order and preparing an attendance note for my instructing solicitor.
By lunchtime, I’m usually on my way home and will grab something quick to eat during my commute. The rest of my afternoon is often spent preparing for upcoming matters, such as drafting position statements, while also dealing with emails and queries from solicitors. My day usually ends around 6:00pm, although some days are longer (or shorter, if I’m lucky!) depending on my workload.
What skills or working styles matter most for success as a junior barrister?
I’d say two qualities stand out: resilience and a strong willingness to learn.
Life at the self-employed Bar can be incredibly demanding. You often work independently, juggling multiple deadlines and making difficult, sometimes near-impossible, decisions. Not every case goes your way. There’ll be moments when you question whether you could have done more. Learning how to manage those feelings and recover from difficult moments is a key skill.
As a junior barrister, you’ll encounter many things for the first time. Earlier in my career, I was often shy about asking questions because I worried about appearing inexperienced, but I quickly learned that everyone in this profession is constantly learning. Equally important is recognising your own limitations; you need to know what you don’t know before you can begin to learn.
What advice would you give to someone deciding whether the Bar is right for them?
If you enjoy advocacy, are intellectually stimulated by solving difficult problems and work best without the constraints of a rigid 9-5 schedule, then the Bar may well be for you!
There’s no one-size-fits-all route to the Bar. Barristers come from all backgrounds and the profession is stronger for it. Don’t be discouraged from pursuing this career because you didn’t receive an Oxbridge education or because, like me, there were no lawyers in your family. The self-employed Bar celebrates the unique perspective that each person brings.
Describe the chambers in three words.
Welcoming, compassionate and ‘human’.
What’s been the highlight of the last month at the chambers?
The Drag Queen Bingo event! Chambers hosts this every year to celebrate Pride Month and raise money for akt, a charity that supports LGBTQ+ young people who are at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness. It’s a fantastic way to champion an important cause while giving everyone the opportunity to unwind after the emotionally demanding work that family lawyers do every day.
What’s the biggest/most important lesson you’ve learnt since being called to the Bar?
Having a life outside the Bar is just as important as thriving in your practice.
Because we’re self-employed, it’s easy for the boundaries between work and personal life to become blurred. I’ve learned that having something outside of the Bar that you’re genuinely excited about is essential to maintaining perspective. For me, that’s baking and cooking! There’s something incredibly grounding about fully immersing myself in the kitchen after a long week.
What’s your favourite movie?
Parasite! It’s a fantastic film about class, economic inequality and capitalism with a twisty, mind-bending plot that showcases talented East Asian filmmakers and actors on the international stage. Interstellar is a very close second.
