I grew up in Russia, but I never really thought of it as a disadvantage until someone asked me the question:

Outsider_Different.jpg"Did you ever get the feeling that your inability to secure pupillage may be influenced by the fact that you're foreign?"

With a good degree, a major Inns of Court scholarship and lots of legal work experience, I think I have the CV of a typical aspiring barrister. Despite completing the BVC last year, I still haven't secured a pupillage and haven't had many interviews either. I know it's easy to blame someone else for your own misfortune, but I do begin to wonder whether the path to the Bar is more challenging for those with a foreign background.

The statistics for minority applicants are not very cheerful. According to the Bar Council's website, in 2008 there were 5.2% self-employed barristers of Asian origin, 2.3% of 'Other White' background, and just 0.2% in the Black Caribbean and African categories.

I was the first Russian student in my high school and sixth form college. As far as I am aware, I was also the only Russian on my BVC course. After searching the internet for hours, I only managed to find two Russian barristers in the UK – one in Manchester and one in London.

Advantages and disadvantages of being a foreigner

If it wasn't harder for foreigners, there wouldn't be all these equal opportunities provisions. The Bar's Equality and Diversity Code (Annex E) suggests that chambers need to monitor the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people at different stages of the pupillage selection process, and deal with under-representation using the positive action provisions of the Race Relations and Sex Discrimination Acts.

Foreigners often face a number of obstacles, one of them being a language barrier. If English is not your first language, no matter how fluent you are, studying in the UK is more challenging. So a 2:1 LLB requires more effort, which isn't reflected in the qualification.

A foreign accent is another cause of concern. I don't mind my accent now, which is not strong, but if I had a choice, I'd lose it tomorrow. I have lived in the UK for around eight years; I completed my secondary and higher education here. Often, though, I get the feeling that on seeing my unusual name and hearing my accent, people assume that I am a foreigner who arrived in this country yesterday.

Even though 'received pronunciation' is no longer needed to get ahead, I can't help but wonder whether chambers have a slight bias in that direction. Because speaking skills are so essential for barristers, I worry that people will think I won't be as effective in court and with clients as I have an accent. Perhaps I should take elocution lessons.

There are some positives about being foreign, of course. We have the advantage of being fluent in another language, as well as the broadmindedness you get from living in a different culture. A different way of thinking could offer new and creative solutions to old problems. And a determination to succeed - common among foreigners – is always a plus in a competitive career. Also, the people you meet during work experience and mini-pupillages are more likely to remember you.

The reality

The Bar is a very competitive profession, and we all chose it knowing that our chances of success are very slim. When I hear about the people with first class degrees struggling to secure pupillage, I realise my lack of success is not abnormal.

Oxbridge graduates aside, we are all in a pretty similar boat. If you are an exceptional candidate, you will get noticed. And those two Russians who made it to the Bar means there's still hope for me, I think…