The Bar Council has joined forces with the Law Society and the Institute of Legal Executives to promote greater diversity in the legal profession by promoting a series of careers days around the country under the title of 'So you want to be a lawyer?'.

The sessions, in which comprehensive school and new university students can meet senior practitioners, are aimed at countering the perception that the profession is elitist and open only to those from privileged backgrounds.

Courtney Griffiths QC, chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the Bar Council said: "There is a strong public interest in securing a legal profession that is more reflective of society as a whole. Many young people feel that there are all sorts of socio-economic obstacles that prevent them from pursuing a career in the law. I hope this will encourage them and show them that the profession does offer the type of support which can help students from all backgrounds to fulfil these ambitions. Intelligence has nothing to do with where you were born or which school or university you attended. It certainly has nothing to do with the colour of your skin. Anyone with talent can make it."

Meanwhile, the Bar Council has criticised the Government's plans to introduce top-up fees for university students, describing them as another in a long list of factors conspiring to keep poorer students out of the legal profession.

Speaking in January, the then chair of the Bar Council, Matthias Kelly QC, told a meeting of the northeastern circuit in Newcastle: "Leading universities are very likely to charge the maximum top-up fees, making it hardest for the less well-off to get access to the best education. With law degrees invariably among the more expensive, on account of their popularity, our efforts to promote diversity with the profession will be stymied," he said.