My Journey to the Bar
I am a family barrister at Exchange Chambers. I studied languages at the University of Leeds but undertook a GDL in 2017 and was called to the Bar in 2019. I identify as gay.
Equality and diversity is a topic close to my heart. I grew up in a small village in Merseyside with no connections to the legal profession. My mother is a self-employed childminder and my father a retired police officer. I was also a young carer for my grandmother which meant I missed a lot of school. Following my graduation, I spent two years caring for my father. Once he recovered, I applied for the GDL in an effort to change my life.
During the GDL, I met lawyers from different backgrounds, including mine, who encouraged me to pursue this career. Although I did not have the means to fund the Bar Course, I was fortunate that my Inn of Court, Middle Temple, invested in me with both an Access to the Bar Award as well as a scholarship.
My experience thus far has been positive. However, I say this as a former crime and family pupil, and current family practitioner on the Northern Circuit. I cannot comment on other circuits, London or other areas of law. Exchange Chambers and my former set, Chavasse Court Chambers, have always made me feel welcome. A member of my pupillage interview panel commented that I stood out because of how comfortably I spoke about my sexuality. Prior to lockdown, I was often invited to social occasions by my colleagues and encouraged to bring my partner.
Nevertheless, I accept that there are still some who discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. However, the independent Bar is a great place for an LGBTQ+ person to thrive. You are your own boss; you can choose your area of practice and create your own space. Despite occasional ‘imposter syndrome,’ I have not felt discriminated against and hope never will.
I have found the Family Bar to be a welcoming and a diverse place. The advocates’ room at the Liverpool Family Court is bustling with lawyers from different backgrounds. I fit in immediately. Now that I am qualified, I see that it is critical that the Bar continues to diversify and reflect the society we serve. It has also been refreshing to see how family barristers, even those of many years of practice, are mindful of their language and how they treat LGBTQ+ people and other minorities sensitively. I am an openly gay man and I make no efforts to hide it. I know I ‘sound’ gay but am proud to do so. Visibility is critical.
I say to all aspiring barristers from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds that there is a space for us. I repeat the same to those with an LGBTQ+ background. The Bar is not a closed door but do not underestimate the reality. This profession requires dedication, resilience and grit. Explore your options. Open your mind to different areas of law. Don’t dismiss the regional Bar. There is a long way to go but I am confident that times are changing, and we are heading in the right direction.
Robert Povall — Exchange Chambers
