I’ve secured a place on the Bar Professional Training Course at The University of Law, which is the first step towards my dream to become a barrister. Yet there’s a problem I need to overcome–funding the course.

ULaw Leeds has awarded me an advocacy scholarship of £2,000, on the basis of merit as well as financial need, so it’s a great boost & proof that I’m on the right path.

The course costs £14,500 so I still need to raise £12,500 to pay for my studies.

I want to become a barrister because I’m passionate about giving back to society. I’m not from a traditional law background, but it’s important that barristers come from all walks of society.

I’m actively involved in various projects designed to help some of the most vulnerable people in society, including:

·Campaigning on social justice issues in the media & sharing platforms with experts & politicians including Hilary Benn MP
·Co-chairing & running a local human rights organisation: JUST Yorkshire
·Chairing a local domestic violence refuge for Black/South Asian women: Anah Project
·Co-founding Same Skies Collective, who campaign on regional democracy
·Facilitating a focus group, which informed the publication of an Office of the Children’s Commissioner 2015 report: 'Protecting Children From Harm'

As you can see, I’ve spent countless hours doing voluntary work to help me gain the skills I’ll need for my legal career. Unfortunately that’s meant I’ve had less time to earn money to pay for my course, although I have raised some funds.

I don’t qualify for a student loan as I have already funded a master’s degree, so this leaves me with 1 option: to ask if anybody out there can help me to realise my ambition by donating.

My story is featured in the BBC doc Breaking Out Of Bradford: Being a Working Class Barrister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgnu-1pZc6M

We can only open the door to the legal profession if we push against it together.

I’m so grateful for your interest & support. #LeilaRaisesTheBar