Q and A with Adam Singh Hayer

One of our most recent pupils, Adam Singh Hayer, has made an impressive start to life at Unit Chambers. We decided to catch up with Adam to get to know him and to see how he's doing after joining us in early December.

When did you first realise you wanted to be in law?

Despite both my parents being lawyers, I only really started to take a serious interest in law from about 15-16 years of age. I was motivated to have a career in law as I strongly believe in advocating on behalf of others, especially those who are unable to do so themselves.

What are you most looking forward to whilst working at Unit?

I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work in all areas of family law. So far I’ve had a really good exposure to private proceedings as well as public law proceedings. During my mini-pupillage with Chambers, I was involved in working on a case which concerned recognition of adoption orders made overseas so I hope I get the opportunity to be involved in that type of work again.

What would you say is the biggest challenge facing young people starting in law?

I think the biggest challenge is that the legal profession has been traditionally a very closed shop and therefore it’s been difficult for those who come from a non-legal background to get into law. However, through organisations such as Bridging the Bar, we’re now seeing more people joining the legal profession to make it more representative of society.

What is the most interesting thing about you?

I took up pen-palling over lockdown in 2020. It originally started off with two pen pals and now I have eight across the world including in the United States, Australia, and Canada. 

Who is your biggest inspiration?

From a legal perspective, I greatly admire Sir Ernest Ryder who is from the North West and had a very successful career at the Family Bar before being appointed to the High Court and later the Court of Appeal. I was fortunate to marshall Sir Ernest during his time as Senior President of Tribunals where I was able to discuss my own legal journey and my interest in family law with him.

If you were a type of holiday, what would you be?

A fully paid six-month holiday, twice a year.