Former beautician who sued housing giant gets a first in her LLB

Georgina Blackwell, who was a beautician in Essex, was offered the scholarship in 2009 after defeating property developers Bellway Homes in the High Court over access to land.

Blackwell said: “[The law degree] has been a great experience. We’ve all helped each other through, and as our classes are quite small, we’ve got to know each other and do manage to fit in some socialising. 

“My message to anybody thinking about a legal career is that it is never too late.  It is hard work, but very rewarding.”

Blackwell is now on her way to become a barrister after completing four mini-pupillages and marshalling Lord Neuberger Master of the Rolls.

“I always wanted to be a barrister - I got accepted to study law at university - but unfortunately my mum broke her wrist and I ended up helping her run her business,” she said in a previous interview with Lawyer 2B.

“I never quite got to university but I’ve had my five minutes of being a barrister in the high court.”