Look into Law Transition Year Programme
Transition Year Programme | Combination of onsite and online learning | Open to 60 students, 1 per school
Applications open Monday 1st September and close Monday 22nd September at 5pm
New for 2026! All schools who apply will be invited to attend the online programme on Monday 2nd March 2026
The Look into Law TY Programme is a blended offering with one day online and three days onsite for 60 students who are interested in learning about life as a barrister. The programme will run from Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th March 2026.
This year the online day will be open to all schools that apply to attend. It will comprise live Zoom webinar sessions with barristers and include quizzes and further research ideas. The online day will take place Monday from 9.30am – 12.30pm. Then the programme moves to in person from Tuesday to Thursday for the lucky 60 students whose schools won a place in the lottery. The onsite (Distillery Building, Dublin 7) days consist of job shadowing, tours and mock trials
Only one application is allowed per school and only TY Coordinators (or Guidance Counsellors or Principal) can apply. The 60 schools selected in the lottery will nominate a student to take the place. If your school is unsuccessful in the lottery, you will receive a registration link to attend the online day.
Make sure you follow our Instagram account for student-focused information!
The Big Legal Q&A
Live Online Session | Panel of Experienced Barristers
Registration opens Monday 1st September
Friday 23rd January 2026 9.15am to 10.15am | Thursday 23rd April 2026 at 2pm – 3pm
These live sessions are open to all classes/groups of students across the country including participants of the Look into Law TY Programme. Classes/groups of students are invited to take part online on one of the dates and ask questions to a panel of barristers. Students can pose questions about life at the Bar, how the legal system operates, as well as ask career advice!
Only one registration should be made per class by the teacher. As places are limited, the Q&As should be watched in a group in a school rather than by individual students so please organise this within the school timetable.
Further Resources
Useful information for all students interested in learning more about the law and life as a barrister
This webpage contains useful information for all students interested in learning more about the law and life as a barrister.
You will find articles, websites, podcasts and a link to download your copy of ‘Paths to the Bar’, which contains information on how to become a barrister.
Frequently Asked Questions
Application for a lottery place on Look into Law TY Programme
1. I completed the form online and submitted it. Is there anything else I need to do before applications close?
No, there is nothing more to do for the moment. We will contact you when the lottery draw has occurred and inform you if you have received one of the 60 places.
2. How many students can one school submit?
There are 60 places and the schools who are given a place via the lottery can submit one student each.
3. When will I need to submit the student’s name?
Each school who receives a place in the programme will be required to submit their student’s name by early January along with permission forms, which will be sent out to the teacher.
4. When will I send my students’ email addresses/phone numbers ?
As all communications will be through the designated teacher, we will only need the student’s email address when you submit their name. We do not need anything about the student before that.
5. My school tells me that they have already applied
If your school has already applied, please make sure to let them know you would be interested in the programme. Schools will be notified whether or not their schools have been given a place in October.
6. My school tells me there are several students interested
Unfortunately, each school who has a received a place in the programme will need to submit one student only. Schools are encouraged to hold a competition for the place if necessary.
7. We don’t know which student to put forward
In previous years, schools have held competitions, in the form of essay etc., to determine which student to put forward.
8. My child wants to apply
Unfortunately, we only accept applications from schools, if your child wants to apply, they will need to ask the school to apply on their behalf.
9. The student requires assistance
Please let us know any assistance your student will require.
10. How many students can attend the first day of the Look into Law TY Programme?
All schools that apply for one of the 60 places can apply to attend the online day. Any students who are interested in life as a barrister can attend.
11. What is the timetable for the Look into Law Programme?
Monday 2nd March 2026 – ONLINE – 9.30am to 12.30pm
Tuesday 3rd March to Thursday 5th March 2026 – IN PERSON – 9.30am to 4pm
General Queries
New for 2026! All schools who apply will be invited to attend the online programme on Monday 2nd March 2026
1. The application process for the Look into Law TY programme hasn’t opened yet.
There is nothing more you can do, but you could visit the further resources page. You could also visit a courthouse near you. See our Instagram pages for courtroom etiquette.
2. I’d like to shadow a barrister.
Outside our Look into Law TY programme, occasionally barristers may agree to allow individual students to job shadow, but this is a private arrangement and at the discretion of individual barristers.
3. I am going into Transition Year and I have a number of possible dates for work placements.
The Look into Law TY programme runs once a year in Spring of each year. We cannot accommodate students at other times.
4. Where do I send my CV for a work placement?
Please do not send in your CV.
5. I didn’t get a place on the Look into Law TY programme, what can I do?
All schools that apply will be invited to attend the first online day. You should also encourage your school to sign up for one of the Big Legal Q&As. In addition please visit the further resources page where you will find lots of useful information and links. You could also visit a courthouse near you. See our Instagram pages for courtroom etiquette.
6. Do you offer anything else for students apart from the Look into Law TY programme?
Yes, we offer the Big Legal Q&A twice in the year. In addition please visit the further resources page where you will find lots of useful information and links. You could also visit a courthouse near you. See our Instagram pages for courtroom etiquette.
7. What is the Big Legal Q&A?
The Big Legal Q&A is run twice a year and usually lasts 60 minutes. It’s in a webinar format and broadcast to schools across the country. Schools must register in advance to get a joining link. A number of junior and senior barristers will be on the panel talking about their paths to the Bar and answering all your questions which you can submit in advance or in the Q&A pane during the webinar.
8. How do I apply to the Big Legal Q&A?
Your school must apply. There will be registration pages available on the website as soon as dates are released.
9. Will the Big Legal Q&A be recorded so that we can watch it later?
No, we do not record the Big Legal Q&A but it takes place twice on different days and times, so hopefully one of the timeslots will suit your school.
10. Do you have any other resources available to TY students?
Yes, there is the further resources page where you will find lots of useful information and links.