MTYBA & MTSA Black History Month Celebration [ONLINE]

The event is run by the Middle Temple Young Barristers Association and Middle Temple Students Association, to celebrate Black History Month.

Please join the MTSA & MTYBA for another memorable Black History Month celebration. 

The panel of speakers will consist of Dr Louise Hewitt of the Innocence Project London, speaking about the experience of black men convicted under joint enterprise coupled with how the IPL empowers students to make change in the Criminal Justice System.

Master Elaine Banton of 7 Bedford Row Chambers addressing the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement one year on and the initiatives advancing greater diversity and inclusion at the Bar.

Abimbola Johnson of 25 Bedford Row. Abi will speak about her role as Chair of the scrutiny board who are undertaking work on the police actions plan on race and inclusion. She also has extensive knowledge of problem with the Criminal Justice system, black lives matter, etc.

Ashley Adams, of the Equal Justice Initiative, will be discussing  the United States history of racial injustice and this country's failure to confront this history and how this failure has shaped our legal system today. Ashley, EJI Staff Attorney, earned a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 2008 and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2011. Prior to joining EJI in 2017, she was Assistant Public Defender and District Court Supervisor for the Tuscaloosa County Office of Public Defender, represented indigent clients as a trial attorney with Jefferson County Public Defender’s Community Law Office in Birmingham, Alabama, and conducted civil litigation as an associate attorney at Gaines Gault Hendrix, P.C., in Birmingham.

There will be performances by talented Artist Emmanuel Dakoru-Whyte and superb pianist Elliot Adgomar. We will also have photographer Samuel Akinwunmi taking photographs of the event. 

Students/Hall Members/Benchers: Guests welcome, maximum 2 per member.

Members of other Inns and those invited by MTSA/MTYBA are also welcome. See the booking information.

Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Outcomes

After this session, students should be able to:

• Describe barriers to diversity and equality at the Bar.
• Identify relevant sources of information, statutes and case law regarding wrongful conviction cases;
• And apply acquired knowledge to their practice/ own legal research.
• Recognise the need for greater synergy between academia and practice.

Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

The QS will align with these elements of the Professional Statement:

• 1.1 / 1.7
• 2.3
• 3.3 / 3.4

The QS focuses on elements of public interest looking at social justice, and realities of over/under representation within the justice system. 

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

QS Feedback

If you have any feedback on a QS you have attended or have any suggestions for future sessions, please contact the education department on education@middletemple.org.uk

If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Laura Hacon.

The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.