Here, in a brand, new series, we focus on the residents and human-interest stories that make this quarterly publication the cracking, page-turning read it is.
In the first of our exciting features, we spoke to a young Haringey-based barrister who went viral on the social media platform X after sharing a snapshot of her career journey and life story so far on there. She hopes to encourage and inspire others to follow her into the legal profession.
Daniella Adeluwoye recently reflected on X (formerly known as Twitter) that she’d been Called to the Bar of England and Wales having grown up on Free School Meals in Wood Green, adding: “I’m so excited to share that…I’m a Pupil Barrister!!”
Her post was viewed more than half a million times (585k), received 14,000 ‘Likes’ as well as 200 comments and was retweeted 1,200 times.
Daniella, who still lives in Wood Green, says:
I was utterly astonished at my tweet’s positive reception – the Twitter app kept crashing on my phone because of the flurry of notifications,
Reading all the kind messages of congratulations was incredibly heartening.
Daniella has many fond and happy memories of growing up in Haringey, where her father would take her to Wood Green Library – her ‘second home’ as an avid bookworm – on Saturdays and sunnier summer Sundays would invariably be spent picnicking at Alexandra Palace.
Unfortunately in her late teens, Daniella’s dad was involved in a car accident that resulted in the death of the other driver. That challenging and emotional time understandably had a profound and lasting effect on Daniella.
Daniella recounts:
From then on, my life became enmeshed with the legal system, culminating in the proceedings reaching the Court of Appeal.
It was a difficult experience to endure, but I had a better understanding of how distressed and hopeless clients and their families may feel when navigating legal procedures.
I wanted to return to the other side of the courtroom and allow my lived experience to inform my approach to client care and representation.
That’s not the only thing Daniella wants to see improve in the future either.
The former Heartlands High School pupil added:
Having witnessed many injustices in my local community, I want to help change our society to become more just and fairer.
While the profession has made leaps and bounds to become more accessible in recent years, there is still some way to go. My socio-economic background is the antithesis of what one would traditionally associate with a barrister, which is likely why my tweet received the reception it did.
I don’t think I will be a ‘pioneering trailblazer’ because – while I’m very flattered – I believe I got to where I am today through the kindness of others holding my hand and leaving the ladder down, so I intend to do the same for future generations. I am only a message away on LinkedIn or Twitter, so don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance!
Upon completion of her ‘pupillage’ (a 12-month training period) at a mixed-common law chambers in the capital, Daniella hopes to build a practice in crime, immigration and public law.
