Look Into Law Transition Year Programme

Covid-19 Update: Due to the current situation, the Look into Law TY programme for 2021 is under review. If current social distancing restrictions continue to apply, it would be impossible to run the programme in its usual format. We are keeping the situation under review and will update this website with any plans concerning our TY programme. We realise this may be problematic for students entering Transition Year who are trying to plan their year, but please bear with us. We will update this page as soon as possible and inform Guidance Counsellors and TY coordinators and we hope to bring you a TY Look into Law Programme in 2021.

The Bar of Ireland's "Look into Law" Transition Year Programme is an exciting initiative aimed at increasing students' awareness of the work of The Bar of Ireland and to encourage students to consider a career as a barrister. This annual "Access all areas" programme aims to encourage schools and students from a wide cross-section of society to apply to take part.

The programme is aimed in particular at those who would otherwise have no access to the Bar. To help achieve this, 20% of places are reserved for DEIS schools. 100 places are available with a minimum of 20% given to DEIS schools and the remaining places allocated by a random lottery draw performed by The Bar of Ireland. All schools will be notified shortly after if they have been successful or not. Students can come from Transition Year up to 6th year. Students will be based in The Bar of Ireland, Church Street, Dublin 7 with daily visits offsite which will include the Four Courts, the Criminal Courts of Justice and King's Inns. 

Programme Contents

In the mornings, participating students will be assigned to groups where they will shadow a designated barrister. They will be introduced to the many different facets of a barrister's working life and will have the opportunity to experience the reality of life as a barrister.

During the afternoons, the students will participate in a range of different activities and students are expected to attend all organised activities:

• Trial viewing
• A tour of King's Inns
• A tour of the Four Courts
• A walk-through of the Criminal Courts of Justice
• A talk from a member of An Garda Siochana
• A talk from a member of the DPP and a defence solicitor
• A talk from a sitting Judge
• A talk from a Legal Affair Correspondent
• Participate in an interactive Mock Trial

The highlight of the week is the mock trial, held in the Green Street Courthouse, where students participate in a case complete with judge and barristers. This provides the students with a unique, interactive experience where each student is given a role to play in the courtroom including defendant, witnesses and jury members.

Upon completion of the programme, each student is presented with a certificate to mark their participation.

FAQs – Transition year programme

Student Testimonials