New agreement brings Barristers to north Wales and Bangor Law School

Communities in north Wales are to gain easier access to the best legal advice, following an agreement between Bangor University’s Law School and Linenhall Chambers, one of Wales’s leading Barristers Chambers. A historic partnership with Bangor University will see the Barristers’ Chambers opening a base within the Law School, with students given the opportunity of experiencing life within one of the UK’s leading practices.

Although Linenhall Chambers have long been seen as the main Chambers for North Wales, with many of their Barristers practising bilingually, their main office base has always been across the border in Chester. This new initiative will allow them to establish stronger roots in northwest and west Wales, whilst participating directly in the development of future members of the Bar.

The new annexe facility, based at Bangor University’s Law School, will allow for regular client meeting and client conferences to take place between barristers Anthony O'Toole, Head of Chambers at Linenhall Chambers, Chester (left), with Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of Bangor Law School, at the launch.Anthony O'Toole, Head of Chambers at Linenhall Chambers, Chester (left), with Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of Bangor Law School, at the launch.and their instructing solicitors, accompanied by their clients.

As well as becoming a great resource for the local legal community, the conference suite will provide a very effective way of bringing local lawyers from north west Wales onto campus on a frequent basis, not only in close contact with Linenhall Chambers, but also with the Law School.

As part of the relationship, students will get to experience the sharp end of legal practice by shadowing Barristers through a scheme of four week internships. The ‘mini-pupillages’ will provide Bangor Law School with a tremendous competitive advantage in recruiting new students, as mini-pupillages are seen as a key part of trying to establish a career at the Bar, but are very difficult to come by.

The new partnership is being launched before an audience of legal professionals from across north Wales at a seminar to be held at the Bangor Law School on March 1st. The seminar will hear from a number of Linenhall’s leading Barristers, followed by a keynote speech from The Honourable Mr Justice Roderick Evans Kt, former Presiding Judge for Wales.

Linenhall Head of Chambers Anthony O’Toole commented: “We are extremely excited to have forged this important partnership with the Law School at Bangor University, as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to serve north Wales with the highest standard of legal services across a wide range of disciplines.

“The new North West Wales annexe is again another example of our determination to provide easy access to our Barristers and develop relationships within the community.”

Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of Bangor University Law School, said: “Linenhall Chambers are to be congratulated for their initiative in coming to us seeking to establish this annexe facility here at Bangor Law School. I admire not only the seriousness of their intention to forge closer links with both the legal community and citizens of North Wales, but also their foresight in offering valuable mini-pupillages to Bangor Law School students which will help develop future generations of Barristers for the region.

“Solicitors in north and northwest Wales will also find this facility a tremendous resource, and their clients will benefit in turn. I believe this initiative from Linenhall will forge even closer links between the University and the region’s communities, through facilitating Solicitor and Barrister dialogue in a venue that is close to the citizenry whom the Law is intended to serve.”

Publication date: 22 February 2013