Outreach

Serle Court is a member of the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS), which aims to improve access to the Bar and to support high achieving students from under-represented backgrounds by providing experiences they need to be able to thrive at the Bar. As part of the scheme, Chambers hosts work experience students under the Bar Access Scheme each summer.

Chambers has an ongoing relationship with Harris Westminster Academy, a selective sixth form which takes pupils from across London, giving priority to those who have been in care, are in receipt of pupil premium or receive free school meals.

Serle Court has for many years run a mock trial summer school in an east London school supporting the organisation Lauriston Lights which works with pupils from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Serle Court sponsors the Queen Mary College Bar Society. Queen Mary (University of London) is the most diverse Russell Group university with 91% of students from state schools, 62% from ethnic minority communities, 42% first in their family in higher education and 27% from households with taxable income of less than 15% p.a. The Queen Mary Bar Society aims to demystify the Bar of England and Wales and is committed to making the Bar represent and reflect its student population.

Many members of Chambers act as mentors to Bar, university and school students under the umbrella of schemes such as the Chancery Bar Association’s Step into Law and More. One member of chambers is taking part in the Bar Council’s reverse mentoring scheme where Black aspiring lawyers mentor White senior barristers.

In addition to individual fundraising efforts by its members, Serle Court supports charitable causes and events as per the list below.

• London Legal Walk
• Serle Court Cup
• Standard Chartered City Race 
• Small Films - Buy1Give1 project
• Open University Networking Event

Serle Court annually participates in the London Legal Walk. The London Legal Walk is an event organised by The London Legal Support Trust, who provide support to a wide range of not for profit organisations and legal services that give a key route to access for justice for people who need it.

In 2021, a significant proportion of Serle Court’s fundraising donations went to the South Westminster Legal Advice Centre. In total, Serle Court raised £4,200.00. We are very proud to take part in this event every year and look forward to continuing to support free legal advice services. 

Many members of chambers act as mentors for the Social Mobility Foundation.

Serle Court continues to participate in the COMBAR (The Commercial Bar Association) inaugural mentoring scheme for under-represented groups at the Bar. The scheme is an important part of COMBAR’s and Serle Court’s commitment to improving access and diversity in the legal profession. Serle Court is among 1 of 23 sets of chambers that have agreed to provide mentors.