Hijabi who wants to be a barrister

Hi everyone, I am currently in year 13 and I have recently began wearing the hijab. However I wanted to know as although I can see that it could have a possible affect on my career generally and in the law, how big would it be for someone who aspires to be a barrister. I know some clients may choose other representatives but if anyone can give some advice it would help. Is there many barristers who are hijabis too and what areas of law could be better to specialise in?

Original post by Hailey629

Hi everyone, I am currently in year 13 and I have recently began wearing the hijab. However I wanted to know as although I can see that it could have a possible affect on my career generally and in the law, how big would it be for someone who aspires to be a barrister. I know some clients may choose other representatives but if anyone can give some advice it would help. Is there many barristers who are hijabis too and what areas of law could be better to specialise in?

Hi @Hailey629,

I personally am not an individual who wears a hijab nor am I a practicing barrister yet, however, I am currently studying the BPC and have lots of work experience with barristers and in courts. From my experience, I have met several barristers who do wear a hijab or another piece of religious clothing and I do not believe it has impacted their career (or at least that is not the impression I was given). Chambers (this is what barristers belong to) are always pushing for diversity and inclusion and, therefore, I really do not think this would impact you at all. Furthermore, I currently study alongside more than one individual who does wear a hijab and from speaking to them, they have not struggled to get experience, scholarships etc. and I do not believe they will struggle to get pupillage just because of their religious beliefs/practices.

I hope this helps :smile:

Sophie

Original post by Hailey629

Hi everyone, I am currently in year 13 and I have recently began wearing the hijab. However I wanted to know as although I can see that it could have a possible affect on my career generally and in the law, how big would it be for someone who aspires to be a barrister. I know some clients may choose other representatives but if anyone can give some advice it would help. Is there many barristers who are hijabis too and what areas of law could be better to specialise in?

Hi there @Hailey629

I am a current law student also looking to enter a legal career in the future. Although I do not wear the hijab, I do not think it should impact your career.

Firms are promoting diversity and equality a lot more these days. There is a lot more attention paid to BAME students, which I think applies equally to students of different religions. I know students with different religions that have been securing mini pupillages in my schools, so if law is something that you are interested in then you should give it a try. :smile:

In terms of what areas of law you could specialise in, most students will determine this after entering into University- as they have more resources, can gain more advice from lecturers, and there are often more work experiences open to them. You could always start off by searching for any legal opportunities available now and researching the different areas of law. I would say there is no rush so far to make that decision as you are still in Year 13.

I hope this helps.
Good luck! :biggrin:

Chloe
University of Kent Student Rep

Original post by Hailey629

Hi everyone, I am currently in year 13 and I have recently began wearing the hijab. However I wanted to know as although I can see that it could have a possible affect on my career generally and in the law, how big would it be for someone who aspires to be a barrister. I know some clients may choose other representatives but if anyone can give some advice it would help. Is there many barristers who are hijabis too and what areas of law could be better to specialise in?

You've already been given the answer to this, but as a practising barrister I can tell you that there is no good reason why wearing the hijab should impact either on your ability to get pupillage or on the practice areas that you could specialise in.

Hijabi who wants to be a barrister

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