My name is Sophie Corcoran. I am a writer, journalist, and a recent graduate from a Russell Group university. My work has appeared in publications including the Daily Mail, Daily Express, ConservativeHome, and GB News.

In my writing, I have previously raised concerns about anti-white bias in Britain and the growing willingness within institutions to tolerate forms of discrimination that would never be accepted in other contexts.

Application to the 10,000 intern scheme

I have long had an interest in the legal system and considered training as a barrister. One reason for this is a desire to contribute to society by helping ensure that justice is accessible to ordinary, decent people.

My own background has also shaped my views about opportunity and fairness. I attended a state secondary school that was placed in special measures, and I am dyslexic and have ADHD. These experiences presented challenges in my education, and I worked hard to overcome them in order to progress to university and beyond. For that reason, I find it particularly troubling when institutions suggest that opportunity and disadvantage can be judged solely on the basis of race.

As part of exploring a legal career, I applied to an internship programme run in conjunction with the Bar Council and an organisation called 10,000 Interns. The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales, and the programme offers six-week placements with chambers and legal organisations, paid at the London Living Wage of £14.80 per hour. It appeared to be a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience at the Bar.

However, when I researched the programme further, I was shocked to discover that the scheme is restricted to applicants of a particular racial background. In other words, eligibility for the internship depends on the colour of a person’s skin.

I found it difficult to believe that in modern Britain a professional opportunity connected to the legal profession could be limited in this way. The Bar Council represents the legal profession and the rule of law, and I believe it should uphold the principle that opportunities should not be allocated on the basis of race.

In October I submitted an application to the scheme. I received confirmation from 10,000 Interns that my application had been lodged and that I would hear from them in November regarding potential placements. They never got back to me. I believe it is because of my race.

Since then, my legal team have tried to engage in pre-action correspondence with both 10,000 interns and the Bar Council. I have now obtained ACAS Early Conciliation Certificates and intend to lodge my claims by the end of March.

I presume the Bar Council and 10,000 Interns will argue that they are allowed to offer this scheme under "positive discrimination". It will be up to the courts to decide whether it is lawful or not.  

What I am trying to achieve

This case is not simply about my own experience. I am pursuing it because I believe that no person in Britain should be denied opportunities because of the colour of their skin.

If institutions are permitted to allocate opportunities on the basis of race, it risks normalising a system in which individuals are judged not by their character, merit, or ability, but by their ethnicity.

I believe strongly that equality before the law must apply to everyone. Through this case, I hope to challenge practices that discriminate on racial grounds and to reinforce the principle that fairness and equal treatment should apply to all.

Ultimately, I am bringing this case not just for myself, but for the many young people who may currently be excluded from opportunities because of their race. My hope is that this challenge can help ensure that Britain remains a society where opportunity is based on merit, effort, and ability, not the colour of someone’s skin.

Next Step

The next step in this case is to issue my claims in the employment tribunal for discrimination against 10,000 interns and the Bar Council. 

How much am I raising

I am trying to raise an initial £1,500 and my stretch is £50,000. This money will be used to pay my legal team and all of the money raised will go directly to my lawyers, the money will not go to me. If there is any left over, then crowd justice will distribute it to a similar case. 

I will keep you all updated as the court case progresses. 

Thank you for any and all your support.