Bankim Thanki QC, barrister and head of pupillage, Fountain Court Chambers
Bankim was able to start his career as a barrister thanks to scholarships from the Inns of Court.
Money was an obstacle I had to overcome to enter the profession. My parents didn’t have much and, in any event, my father thought I should become a doctor. (His fundamental view that the Bar was not a proper job remained with him, I think, even after I took silk.) I am not sure I could have afforded to come to the Bar without generous scholarships from my Inn.
Work/life balance at the Bar
The best aspect of my job is being able to retain control of my life. Fountain Court is not clerk-driven: barristers are masters of their own time. I have always decided what work I want to take on and, more importantly, the length of my holidays.