Our Barristers in Residence (BiRs) offer legal career guidance and mentoring to our students, alumni and staff who are interested in pursuing a career at the Bar or seeking to develop their advocacy skills.

Our current team of experienced barristers use their expertise to help others develop their legal skills, build professional networks, and understand the practical aspects of life at the Bar. In return, our Barristers in Residence benefit from access to our research, events and partnerships across the University.

Read on to find out more about our Barristers in Residence, the impact they have on our law school community and how you could benefit from working with them.

The Barristers in Residence Programme is designed to provide aspiring barristers with all the tools they need to succeed. The law is constantly evolving, and today's students need more than just academic excellence - they need practical insights, professional networks, and real-world advocacy experience”.

Dr Shane McKinder, Associate Head of Law and Joint BiR Relationship Manager

How Barristers in Residence help students, staff and alumni 

Our Barristers in Residence help students, staff and alumni to develop their advocacy skills and deal with the challenges of pursuing a career at the Bar. The barristers share their knowledge of the changing legal landscape and the skills needed to succeed in today's legal profession.

Our Barristers in Residence can mentor law students, offer guest lectures, help academics in their research and advise groups or individuals on legal career development. They also organise mooting sessions for students, help with curriculum development, and support the School of Law's focus on practical legal education.

To work with any of our Barristers in Residence, the BiR Team need some information from you. Please fill out the engagement request form or contact us at barristers-in-residence@port.ac.uk to find out more.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Developing advocacy skills
  • Exploring career paths at the Bar
  • Providing pupillage application advice
  • Developing legal research skills
  • Advising on Inn of Court scholarships
  • Understanding different practice areas
  • Supporting mooting programs
  • Contributing to academic research
  • Accessing legal networks

Make an engagement request 

If you're a member of staff, student, alumni or School of Law member, you're eligible to work with our Barristers in Residence. Submit our short form, and we'll work with you to help you get the best BiR support.

Meet our Barristers in Residence 

Our community of Barristers in Residence have diverse specialisations and vast legal experience. Discover their legal journey and where their expertise lies by following the links to their full profiles.

Martyn Booth

Get to know Martyn Booth, Barristers in Residence at the University of Portsmouth 

Read more

Peter Jacobs

Get to know Peter Jacobs, Barristers in Residence at the University of Portsmouth 

Read more