A FORMER Tavistock College student is celebrating after securing permanent tenancy as a barrister.

Andrew Smith was among the first group of students at Tavistock College to study an AS level in law and has now succeeded in his ambition to pursue it as a career.

He said: 'I really enjoyed the subject and about ten students continued through to A level.

'Our teacher, Helen Harris, was very enthusiastic and organised visits to the local magistrates' and crown courts.

'I was encouraged to apply to study law at university and was offered a place by Sheffield University.'

The encouragement paid off and Andrew is now working as a barrister at Devereux Chambers in London after a long process of training and exams.

Mrs Harris said: 'Getting a permanent tenancy as a barrister is so hard. Two out of three don't succeed, even when they've been through all their training. He's done so well, it's brilliant.'

While Andrew was at university he undertook work experience in barristers' chambers and found the experience very interesting.

After graduating in 2006, he worked for a firm of solicitors in Sheffield for 12 months before taking the Bar Vocational Course at Manchester Metropolitan University.

In September 2008, he moved to London and started a 12-month pupillage with chambers 11KBW.

Following an interview with Devereux Chambers, he was offered a third six pupillage, which he started in October 2009.

Andrew said the pupillage process was very demanding as it was a steep learning curve and he was constantly being assessed by senior members of the chambers.

'I now face the challenge of establishing my own practice within chambers. My diary is already beginning to fill up with cases for the next couple of months and it promises to be a very busy start to my career as a self-employed barrister.

'Devereux Chambers specialises predominantly in employment, personal injury and commercial law.

'My most recent pupil supervisor also has a thriving practice in sports law, which is something that I am very interested in and would love to gain further experience of.'