Irmak Akcebe

Irmak commenced her First Six Pupillage in October 2026 under the supervision of Emma Akuwudike.

Before commencing pupillage, Irmak worked as a paralegal at a leading criminal defence firm in London. She assisted the senior partner on a broad range of criminal matters, focusing mainly on a high-profile prosecution brought under the Bribery Act 2010. Her work included assisting with the preparation of the defence through reviewing tens of thousands of pages of evidence, as well as providing in-court support to both junior and leading counsel throughout a five-month trial.

During her Bar training, Irmak volunteered with AMICUS, assisting death penalty defence lawyers in the United States in pre-trial and post-conviction cases. Prior to working in criminal defence, Irmak managed a busy caseload of high-needs homeless clients, supporting them in criminal justice and benefits-related matters in appeals and similar processes. 

Irmak has an academic background in international human rights law. Her research focused on the involvement of police unions in disciplinary proceedings concerning the use of lethal force by police officers, considered in the context of Strasbourg jurisprudence.

Qualifications 

• Bar Vocational Studies with Advanced Advocacy Specialism, Distinction, City Law School (2025) 
• Advanced LLM in European and International Human Rights Law, cum laude, Leiden University (2024) 
• LLB (Hons), 2:1, UCL (2022) 

Awards

• Inner Temple Bar Scholarship (2025)
• Advanced LLM Thesis, summa cum laude (2024)

Memberships 

• The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple 
• Women in Criminal Law