Legal eagle takes to the air

Jason, who started practising just a few weeks ago, will feature in episode five of the series, which has been giving a behind the scenes look at the work of barristers in Northern Ireland.

Jason, who was a pupil at Ballymacash Primary, Laurelhill Community College and Wallace High, studied law at the University of Ulster before going on to the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queens.

He was then called to the Bar and has recently completed his six month pupillage.

“I wanted to be a barrister since my teens,” explained Jason. “I was always interested in politics but I might leave that until later in life.”

Whilst at the Institute, the producers of the show approached the students to ask if anyone would be interested in being featured. Three students, including Jason, volunteered, with only Jason remaining until the end of filming.

“It was quite exciting,” he continued. “It was a great experience and it is a good way to show people what we do.

“A lot of the episode is about exams at the Institute and being called to the Bar. The show is aimed at people who are interested but who have never been in a courtroom in their life.”

Jason, who is hoping to continue to work in the civil side of the law rather than in criminal law, is now working to build up his reputation in the profession.

“I don’t come from a legal background and I have to build up my reputation,” he said.

“Time will tell if the show will have an impact but it was very interesting to do and it really was the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Jason will be featured on the fifth episode of Barristers on BBC One NI on Monday April 14 at 10.35pm.