Konstantina is the Chair and Founder of Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar, she is currently working at Bhatt Murphy as a COVID-19 Paralegal and she has been offered a pupillage with Nexus Chambers. She has been diagnosed with Ulrich Muscular Dystrophy and decided to found the organisation because she was exposed to severe discrimination when trying to apply for mini-pupillages and was discouraged to pursue a career in the Bar by many. However, she knows that there are many disabled aspiring barristers out there who have similar experiences to her. Through Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar she hopes to be able to provide support to many people who have a disability and want to become barristers. Konstantina aims to provide through BDABar a platform where we can dismantle the stereotypes and prejudices that affect disabled individuals within the Bar and raise awareness on disabilities and accessibility. Fun fact: Konstantina once upon a time was studying astrophysics and participated in Greek National Competitions. Find out more about Konstantina here.

Zoe is a BVS student at City, University of London. Originally from Hong Kong, Zoe completed her law degree at the University of Birmingham and holds an LLM in Professional Advocacy, focusing on strategic litigation. Prior to the Bar course, Zoe worked in the charity sector as a human rights researcher/consultant and has experience in grassroots advocacy.

Zoe has chronic depression and anxiety, meaning she has to continually take medication to prevent a relapse. Other than discussing disability in the context of mental illness, Zoe’s mission at BDABar is to prove that thriving is possible whilst living with mood disorders.

Fun fact: Zoe plays the flute and enjoys performing in amateur theatre shows… when she has time.

You can learn more about Zoe here.

Julie is a BTC student at BPP London. Originally from Dublin, Julie studied the GDL at City, University of London and holds an LLM in Public International Law where her thesis focused on memory and trauma in international criminal law. She intends to focus on human rights and criminal law at the Bar, helping vulnerable individuals navigate the challenges of England’s adversarial system.

Julie is excited to be a part of BDBar’s Schemes team because of the team’s commitment to broadening access to the Bar to underrepresented groups. Having been diagnosed later in life with dyslexia and mental health problems, she is aware of the individual barriers candidates with disabilities face at the Bar and is keen to be part of BDBar’s mission to dismantle them.

Rhys was once a Music Scholar and singer, he is now an Inner Temple Bar Course scholar, Studying the Bar Training Course with ICCA. Having successfully fought his own multi-track claim in the Royal Courts of Justice, Rhys is now pursuing a career as a barrister in the Civil system. Rhys was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 14 and was subsequently diagnosed with M.E. His entire education broke down before he achieved any GCSE or A Level qualifications, and his passage to The Bar has been focussed on repairing his damaged education. A Distinction in his LLM Qualifying Law Degree was the latest step towards full mitigation. Rhys is committed to BDABar because he sees both the problems unique to The Bar, and the collegiate, supportive environment which is equally unique to The Bar, and can form the basis of change. Covid has shown the world that accessibility is the future, and we must now make sure that we are a part of that future. Find out more about Rhys here.

Maria Munir is the Lead Diversity and Inclusion Strategist at Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar. Alongside supporting our outreach and education, Maria aims to ensure that BDABar is an organisation which advocates for our communities. A current GDL student at the University of Law, Maria is also the Trans Lead for Amnesty Rainbow Network and a Trustee for London Friend. Maria brings with them a wealth of experience as the former Associate Director, Community Engagement for Stonewall. An award-winning campaigner, Maria is committed to changing perceptions, particularly highlighting the experiences of disabled people of colour. They led a facial palsy awareness campaign featured on ITV, worked with Mind on supporting LGBTQ+ Muslims with their mental health and continue to support organisations on inclusion. Maria joined BDABar because they are committed to using their power and skills to increase accessibility to the profession. This work has already been taking place in many ways, and Maria is looking forward to working in coalition with the brilliant changemakers out there who have made space for us to be part of this journey, too. Fun Fact: Maria came out to President Obama as non-binary in 2016 on live television! It was a unique but powerful experience which helped to encourage President Obama to speak out against anti-trans legislation. Find out more about Maria here.

Allison is an LLM graduate from UCL and she currently studies the BVS at City, University of London. She is interested in social justice and the law; she is originally from Chicago. She is excited to join BDaBar’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team because of the team’s commitment to an intersectional approach to diversity at the Bar. People do not approach the Bar (or life) as only one of their identities so work towards inclusion should reflect this as well!

I’m a BPC student and immigration caseworker/paralegal diagnosed with autism, who has faced extra hurdles that people wouldn’t even think of. 22% of all autistic people in the UK are in work, and that’s before we even get to the Bar specifically. People with disabilities have just as much to offer as everybody else, but with how a lot of organisations are currently set up, don’t get to see the best out of so many people. I’m proud to be working as part of BDABar to begin making a difference for people like us, as well as helping to educate and raise awareness of the issues that people often don’t see. When I’m not working towards a career at the Bar, I’ve been trying to teach myself how to play piano, having played guitar for almost 20 years already! Find out more about Jon here.

Jody is a current Bar Course student at the ICCA, doing her LLB (Hons) a bit later than most. She has had a varied career, from being a serving police officer, and a professional musician to an award-winning author who has mentored and taught throughout the publishing industry.

Jody has genetic, congenital and acquired disabilities, which include dual sensory loss and so she generally comes attached to a very fluffy and infamous Golden Retriever called Fergus (or Ferb for short).

One of Jody’s passions is to bring positivity to those around her and help others believe they can reach their dreams. In competitive areas such as law, it’s easy to think the odds are insurmountable for anyone with disabilities. So, she’s hoping to assist BDABar in breaking down the walls and leading the way.

My name is Hia and I am the Events Officer at BDABar. I am excited to organise events, network with like-minded people, and help aspiring barristers reach their full potential. I applied to be an Events Officer at BDABar because I am passionate about barristers with disabilities being heard and having role models to look up to.

Chris is an aspiring barrister with an interest in criminal law and have recently graduated from De Montfort university, Leicester. At the age of 2, I was diagnosed with a rare and complicatedly defined neurological disorder called ‘Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with Streptococcus infections’ (PANDAS). All my life, I have endured symptoms of physical tics and severe anxiety but my disability did not deter me from seizing every opportunity to join various societies at university where I eventually became chairperson of the Street Law society and participated in numerous moots, including the OUP & ICCA National Mooting Competition. I wanted to be a part of Bringing Disability to the BAR to help enable aspiring barristers like me succeed at the Bar and represent more than hope - to represent a voice for aspiring barristers with disabilities. As a member of the committee, I am part of the outreach team and responsible for legal updates. Fun fact: I am an avid gamer and a member of a Dungeons and Dragons player group. Find out more about Chris here.

Lucie is currently the Legal Project Manager for the children’s visual impairment charity that she was a member of as a child, working against discrimination within the education system. Lucie joined BDABAR to follow her aspiration to improve accessibility at the Bar following her growing exposure to the barriers of equity, both through professional and personal experience. Growing up in South Africa, and volunteering with multiple charities, Lucie developed a passion for the law surrounding human rights and public law and has since completed her LLB in the UK. With a focus on advocacy, Lucie has aspirations of the Bar and will commence her BTC in September 2022.

My name is Anaïs Sosson and I am proud to be a Social Media Officer at BDABar. I am from Belgium and recently graduated with a Law degree from the University of Brighton I currently study the Bar Course at BPP.

I joined BDABar because it is the first student-led organization I have come across that focuses on challenging the Bar and improving its accessibility and representation specifically in regards to disability.

This is highly important to me as since my OCD diagnosis when I was 17, I wish to encourage disabled individuals to also consider a career at the Bar, to end the stigma around mental and physical disabilities amongst aspiring barristers, and raise awareness of their capabilities.

I have no doubt that we will accomplish this and way more at BDABar and therefore encourage members to join us in 2022. To find out more about click Anaïs here.

My name is Holly and I have recently graduated from the University of Plymouth with a first-class honours degree in law. I’m the Legal Updates and Blogging Lead and also part of the events team. I joined BDBAr as I wanted to help dispel the stigma around having a disability and joining the Bar. Taking part in mooting competitions at University sparked my interest in pursuing a career as a barrister. Fun fact, I had the opportunity to moot in front of Lord Sales in the Supreme Court which was amazing. Find out more about Holly here.

Oscar is currently a member of the research team and outreach team at BDABar. He is a final year student studying Law at the University of Reading and is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Oscar decided to join BDABar as he is eager to influence positive change and promote accessibility to the Bar for students with disabilities. He feels that not only are disabled individuals underrepresented at the Bar, but that not enough Chambers are taking a proactive approach in making the profession accessible. Oscar is keen to see BDABar empower students with disabilities and work cooperatively with barristers to make the profession more disability friendly. Eventually, Oscar wishes to pursue a career at the Bar. First though, he hopes to study an LLM and later, potentially a PhD in the field of data protection and cyber law. Find out more about Oscar here.

Kei is a BPP student studying on the GDL course. From a young age Kei has been an active campaigner on disability rights and wider social justice, this led her to complete a Double Masters in Global Governance, specialising in Human Rights and Social Justice at Warwick University and the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA). At BSIA Kei was granted a Graduate Fellowship, which involved completing research and presenting findings to Global Affairs Canada. Kei is the founder and President of the BPP University London, Women and Non-Binary People in Law Society. The Society aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by women and non-binary people and celebrate their accomplishments in the legal profession. Find out more about Keira here.

Surita came to law later in life. Despite juggling the extra demands of raising a family, caring responsibilities, and working, she graduated with a First in Law and is currently studying the Bar course and LLM. She understands and relates strongly to prejudice and discrimination of any kind, on a very personal level; she intends on using her legal platform to advocate for the rights of every person to equality and inclusion.

In Surita’s lived experience, she has known little else other than feelings of not fitting in, being different, bullying, and acquired inferiority. Her late diagnosis neurodivergence brought with it an appreciation of all the reasons to celebrate and embrace being different. She holds an impassioned belief in the very great value and benefit of diversity at the Bar, and in society.

Surita chose to join Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar after reading that Konstantina Nouka had faced incredible discrimination in her aspirations of the Bar. To such an extent that she had been actively discouraged by some, from pursuing a career at the Bar because of her disability. Not being one to stand back while another faces discrimination, Surita was thrilled to join BDABar as a Researcher. As part of BDABar, she hopes to be able to offer an insight and a new perspective to any organisation or institution that disables aspiring barristers. Surita plans to bring some enlightenment to those who further obstacle an already over-obstacled journey, and to those who are yet to appreciate the truly exceptional value of a disabled aspiring barrister, and all the creative, inventive, problem-solving, resilience, and empathetic talents that come with them. To find out more about Surita click here.

Caitlin studied law at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2021. Throughout her degree, she led a team investigating a murder trial for the Manchester Innocence Project. During the first lockdown, Caitlin was diagnosed with several conditions that rendered her disabled, requiring significant adjustments to her day-to-day living. She then had to apply these adaptations when she embarked upon her BPC, at the University of Law in London which she completed in 2022. Caitlin has a passion for criminal law and is in the process of seeking a criminal pupillage. Outside of law, her main interests are: mixology, theatre, and American politics.