Mini-devils respond positively to Faculty programme

Law students who took part in this year’s Faculty of Advocates Mini-devilling Scheme have given positive feedback on the experience.

Open to students studying for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, the scheme aims to encourage people from a range of backgrounds to consider a career at the bar, particularly those with no family or social connection with the legal profession. Thirty students joined the initiative, which ran from January and March. Each gained first-hand experience by being paired with a junior advocate as their mini-devilmaster, whom they shadowed for one day a week.

They were also given a taster of Faculty’s advocacy training programme by attending several days of presentations given by senior members of the legal profession. At the end of the course, they participated in mock trials, judged by senior members of Faculty. At a concluding reception, Lord Carloway, the Lord President, gave a talk on the importance of advocacy, before wishing the mini-devils well for their future careers.

The scheme was co-ordinated by advocates Craig Findlater, Elisabeth Roxburgh, and Dominic Scullion.

Eunice Owusu-Afriyie, one of the mini-devils, said the programme, had “given me exposure to what life at the Scottish Bar looks like and demystified the role of an advocate. It has made me realise that it is something I can do and it is possible for me to aspire to”.

Another, Jennifer Wells, added: “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to shadow an advocate and, through them, to start building professional relationships. I see Faculty as being far more diverse and accessible than people outside of the profession perhaps realise. Everyone that I met during the programme was friendly and welcoming.”

Others described their experience as insightful, interesting and of real help in increasing their understanding of a career at the bar.

The scheme will run again next year, and further information can be found here.