Browne Jacobson launches new simulator tool for aspiring barristers
updated on 05 March 2024
Reading time: two minutes
Browne Jacobson LLP has launched a virtual free job simulator for less advantaged students, offering aspiring barristers a glimpse into life in the firm’s barrister team. The programme enables delegates to experience and complete tasks that replicate those of a junior barristers in the firm’s team – “a genuine first for the legal profession”.
The new simulator tool consists of self-paced pre-recorded videos and worksheets, which can be completed within four hours. It also includes a theoretical scenario, where students must conduct research, analyse documents and provide written advice for a client. Following the completion of the programme, delegates will have developed practical legal skills and can add a certificate of completion to their CV. Delegates will also receive feedback on their tasks.
The initiative is the latest in the firm’s efforts to improve social mobility within the profession and the firm itself. As well as the free job simulator, the firm’s award-winning FAIRE (Fairer Access to Real Experience) programme, offers in-person and virtual work experience opportunities to candidates who are from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Since its launch, more than 30,500 students have participated in the programme.
The simulator tool is running on the Forage platform, which provides online courses to help students secure roles at reputable businesses.
Kiera Riddy, an associate barrister at the firm has been closely involved in the programme’s development. Riddy explained that: “When thinking back to the work experience available for me while studying to get a foot in the door, it was somewhat limited to in-person roles requiring extensive travel and also took time out of part-time working – something that’s essential to many people in funding their studies.
“With the success of our FAIRE social mobility scheme at Browne Jacobson, we started thinking about other ways we could increase accessibility to experience and the profession.
“Forage already has a scheme for solicitors, so we believed it was imperative to design a scheme for budding barristers.”
