“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8
“The core of the rule of law is that all persons and authorities within the state, whether public or private, should be bound by and entitled to the benefit of laws publicly made.” — Lord Bingham, The Rule of Law (2010)
I have spent most of my adult life in a world very different from law — over 14 years in global shipping and logistics, overseeing operations, compliance, contracts, and facing real-world pressure that never fits neatly into a textbook. It was a career that shaped me: it sharpened my problem-solving skills, taught me to lead people, and required integrity in situations where it would have been easier to compromise.
But even as I was developing that career, something else was quietly growing alongside it — a persistent pull towards advocacy, justice, and the work of the Bar. I’ve always been attracted to the discipline of argument, the precision of language, and the importance of standing up for someone who needs a voice. For years, that calling remained beside me rather than in front of me — until now.
At 41, I’m pursuing that long-held aspiration by retraining for a career at the Bar. I’m approaching it not as a school-leaver or a university graduate with an empty CV, but as a husband, a father, a Christian, and someone who understands what it means to build a life, support a family, and start afresh with purpose.
Studying law at this stage of life looks different: my case notes sit alongside toy cars, my revision sessions sometimes start after bedtime stories, and my calling is no longer just about what I will do — but who I am becoming. My faith has played a significant role in this journey. It reminds me that justice isn’t just an academic concept — it’s a command. That advocacy isn’t merely a skill — it’s service. And that careers aren’t just built — they’re stewarded.
Over the coming weeks and months, this blog will explore:
Studying law later in life and preparing for the Bar
How faith informs my understanding of justice, argument, and ethics
The realities of shifting from industry into legal training
Balancing family, calling, ambition, and discipleship
What I’m learning about pupillage, advocacy, and the legal profession
If you’re someone who’s also navigating a career shift, studying law, working toward the Bar, or trying to follow Christ in a professional world, you’re in the right place. I hope this space encourages you, challenges you, or simply reminds you that your journey doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to be legitimate.
This is just the beginning — but it’s the right beginning.
Briefs, Belief and the Bar 
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