Zaheer Afzal is a successful barrister with St Phillips chambers in his home city of Birmingham. He practises criminal law – which he says is the most exciting area within his profession. Zaheer did not study law and began the path toward becoming a barrister after leaving University.

'My A-Levels were science based – they had no traditional connection to a Law degree. I did a Chemistry degree and then did a conversion course. It's a year long course which will effectively bring you up to speed – then as soon as you've passed that you're eligible to do the Bar Course.

In fact having something different from other candidates can really improve your chances of becoming a barrister and getting a pupillage (training placement).

Whether that is with experience in a different area of work, or an interesting hobby, being able to demonstrate that you are a well rounded individual is the key to success.'

Zaheer didn't have parents who were able to pay for all of the tuition fees throughout his education but he was able to gain funding from student loans. For many people like Zaheer, the Inns of Court can also help with money in the form of scholarships and bursaries and advice if students are in need. The people that Zaheer met at the Bar were not what he expected to find.

'There is an outdated perception that the Bar is a very privileged and exclusive environment made up of only a single group of people. In recent years I've noticed that the make up of the Bar is much more balanced. From my perspective on a daily basis I regularly see advocates from all walks of life. It's what you bring to the profession that's important, and people with different experiences will bring different aspects of their character to the profession, which can only strengthen the profession, and only help it to move forward into the future, modernise and improve.'