Choose your Leeds JLD Committee for 2025
BAR REPRESENTATIVE:
LYDIA REED
I would like to apply for the Bar Representative role. I should be elected for two reasons.
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Firstly, I am organised and committed to gaining and maintaining membership from those at the Bar. I hope to achieve this by introducing two types of events: informative talks and targeted training. This will increase participation for a range of junior barristers, with the aim to encourage further skills development. For informative talks, my experience in attending lectures held by Leeds District Medico-Legal Society recently has provided insight into how informative talks can be engaging and relevant. I hope to secure speakers from a range of practice areas to guarantee attendance from a wider network.
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For targeted training events, my experience in organising debates and moots is crucial here to arrange similar events. It would serve the interests of those aspiring for a career at the bar, as well as those already practising. I was Chair of Debate at the University of Bristol. I organised all debating competitions (two competitions running over six months with 64 competitors) held by the University of Bristol Law Club. This enhanced my leadership, inter-personal skills and organisational skills as I arranged debates in different locations, with networking events following each debate every month. I hosted and presented open evenings and finals, communicating with guests and judges alike. I would use these skills when organising advocacy training sessions, ensuring that the right balance is achieved. I would like to introduce training alongside competitions, which provides people with the option to action the training.
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Having these two distinct events, with a view to being organised perhaps monthly, would increase and retain participation.
Secondly, I should be elected as I am a strong communicator with an enthusiastic attitude. I am confident that I can encourage pupil and junior barristers to get involved with JLD events. As a pupil at Parklane Plowden Chambers, I would promote Leeds JLD events within Chambers. I have also built my network amongst pupil barristers in Leeds, arranging meetups outside of organised Circuit events. I would bring a friendly and fresh approach. I have experience communicating with people of all ages and audiences. Before pupillage, I worked with solicitors and trade union lawyers. Therefore, I can hone these skills to liaise with other
members of the committee. I am also part of the Trinity Netball League in Leeds and play with trainee solicitors and barristers. I would like to re-introduce netball socials and consider other sporting events alongside RYDE, such as Hot Yoga or Pilates. While I am at the start of my career at the bar, as a pupil I am able to straddle the position to promote access to legal careers to current students and also encourage barristers to form lasting relationships within Leeds JLD.