In this episode, meet Anu Lal, called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 2023 and a tenant at Fourteen Chambers, a leading London-based family law set.

From taking part in a mock trial competition at school, Anu shares her inspiring journey to becoming a barrister, focusing on her experiences in family law, the emotional challenges of the profession, and the importance of preparation, research and resilience.

Offering valuable advice for aspiring barristers. Anu emphasises the significance of understanding the realities of a legal career and the need for self-care amidst the challenges of practice.

“I always knew I wanted to be a barrister since I was doingmy GCSEs … My school took part in the National Bar Mock Trial Competition … a small group of us were mentored by a criminal barrister … and readied us for this competition, and that was it.”

“I really fell in love with the idea of representing people,of speaking for ordinary folk and people from all walks of life …”

“There is no getting round being properly prepared... There’s no cutting corners to that hard work and that graft that you’ve got to put in.”

“My personal calendar has got everything, it’s got my workand all sorts of things. And I colour-code things... And I look at that calendar and I think, ‘Is there enough of a rainbow there?’ And that’s a great first catch for me to see if I’m having as well-rounded a life as I could be.”

"Life is tough and fun is very important."

Hosted by Chris Kessling, barrister and Vice Dean of the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA).

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Bar Student to Barrister. Please like/subscribe and we look forward to you joining us every Friday.

INFORMATION

Anu on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-lal-6b9652a8/

Anu’s chambers profile https://fourteen.co.uk/our-people/our-barristers/anu-lal/

Fourteen Chambers https://fourteen.co.uk/

CONTACT

Email: barstudent2barristerpodcast@gmail.com

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Website https://www.icca.ac.uk/icca-bar-course/bar-student-to-barrister-podcast/

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