The Kalisher Trust was set up in 1996 in memory of Michael Kalisher QC to help talented students with financial constraints who would otherwise be lost to the criminal Bar. The Trust funds four students through the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) every year, and provides a number of bursaries. It also offers a series of substantial internships, giving students practical experience in leading legal organisations such as Justice, the Criminal Cases Review Commission and the Centre for Capital Punishment Studies.
Recently, as part of its advocacy work with students, the Trust has begun to organise a series of personal presence training programmes. Run in conjunction with Jo Ouston & Co, students learn how to use their voice, body language and demeanour to best effect in a courtroom setting. Rather than a simple presentation skills course which teaches students a few tricks of the trade, the course helps individuals to make a positive impression, using practical exercises which address the situations they will meet as a criminal barrister.
