Matilda McDermott-Krasker graduated from Queen Mary University of London in 2022 with an LLB in Law. Since graduating, she has gone on to study for the Bar at Gray’s Inn, one of the Inns of Court, with two scholarships.
The Elizabeth Ann Curnow Scholarship covered the cost of the Bar Practice Course. It is named after Elizabeth Ann Curnow who was one of only 3 women called to the bar in 1957. She practised criminal law and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1985.
The second scholarship is a Residential Scholarship which enables her to live rent free in Gray’s Inn whilst studying the course.
She was a very active member of the School of Law community during her studies. She participated in several advocacy competitions. The highlight of these was delivering a plea in mitigation in the Royal Courts of Justice during the final of a plea in mitigation competition. She was also President of the Criminal Justice Society and was involved in organising a mock trial competition.
She was committed to social justice and community outreach. She set up a scheme where Queen Mary students helped young offenders at His Majesty's Prison Isis develop their CVs. I was also a student advisor at the Legal Advice Centre where I wrote a letter of advice for 3 members of the public relating to criminal and image based sexual abuse issues. During my final year I worked as a Research Assistant to two of my professors.
Since graduating, she has also worked as a Clerk to a family Circuit Judge in her local County Court.
On winning the scholarships, Matilda said: “The range of opportunities which the School of Law and the numerous student societies at Queen Mary offer allowed me to get involved in extracurricular activities and try out advocacy styles beyond traditional moots. This helped me to stand out both on paper and during the scholarship interviews. Without the scholarships I have received I would not have been able to study the bar course this year and certainly would never have been able to do so whilst living in the heart of legal London.”
She has now completed the Bar with distinction and has secured a pupillage at 7 Bedford Row.