21/07/2023

10,000 Black Interns (10KBI) x the Bar Council

Twenty Essex is thrilled to be involved in the 10,000 Black Interns (10KBI) initiative.

10KBI is a programme designed to support Black and Black heritage students and graduates in the UK and address under-representation of Black talent across various sectors – including the Bar. It aims to provide insight into industry for Black students through paid internships.

The scheme was piloted in 2021-22 and now, in its second year, it works to encourage Black students to feel confident and secure in pursuing a career at the Bar.

Our intern, Jessica Otu, has spent the week with us to see what life is like at the Bar and at our Chambers, as part of a programme of week-long internships under the auspices of the Bar Council.

Jessica comments: “The exposure to the barrister world has been so exciting and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie between the barristers and how that translates in the courtroom. This scheme is invaluable in that such a short time it has allowed me to condense experiences that I may have typically done over a year in just over a month. I am extremely grateful to all those who make this possible and for the forthcoming nature of each chambers I have been to, including Twenty Essex.”

Applications for the 2024 programme open in September 2023, and you can find more information on this scheme and additional opportunities on the 10KBI website.