Aston Law School graduate follows in his father’s footsteps
I chose to study at Aston University due to both personal and academic reasons. I live near Birmingham, so a lot of my young adult life has been spent in and around the city. The majority of my family are from Birmingham and my Dad, also graduated from Aston University, which is why it was an obvious choice for me. I was aware that Aston is as an excellent University, especially its renowned Law School, and its outstanding reputation for Aston Law School graduates.
Shifting perspectives from commercial law to social justice
Originally, my interest in the law was completely corporate based. During sixth form and my younger life I had a huge interest in business and economics, taking both at A-Level. In particular, I was interested in the legal side of businesses such as corporate law and corporate fraud. My passion within the law has now developed through university and personal circumstances to revolve around the moral and ethical side of law, with a view to helping vulnerable people in society. In my view, that is the purpose of the law, to help those who cannot get help. That is the approach I have taken to law since starting university and continue to do so.
Embracing legal discussions
The most enjoyable part of the course for me was engaging with the law. I enjoyed engaging with legal problems and issues, often based on real cases, and offering my own solutions and advice, as would be done in the real world. This was also enabled by the excellent lecturers at Aston who nurture that approach and encourage it. I always enjoyed giving my opinion in seminars, and also listening to and incorporating the views of my fellow students.
Mooting competitions to prepare for a career in law
My main involvement in extra-curricular activities was my participation in mooting. While not particularly successful, it was important for me to be involved in the mooting process due to my career aspirations of becoming a barrister. Mooting to me was just a further advancement of engaging with the law as I did in seminars, except more formal, structured, and with a judge and opposition. This made the experience even more transferable to real life and only improved my enjoyment.
Winning two awards during his time at Aston University
I was fortunate and lucky enough to win two awards during my time at Aston. Firstly, in my second year I won the International Human Rights Law Prize for highest mark achieved on the module. This award was a mini pupillage to shadow Human Rights Barrister Mark Bradshaw at No5 Chambers. I have since completed 2 of the 3 days with Mark and have thoroughly enjoyed the process and what it entails to be a barrister. I also now have a passion for Human Rights, much of which is owed to my IHRL lecturer at the time, Paul Dale. I am in the process of attempting to publish my work in IHRL from my second year and also potentially pursue a career in Human Rights.
Secondly, in my final year I won the LLB Law Prize, which is for achieving the highest mark on the entire course in the final year. I am hugely proud of winning both awards and think the real reason for these awards is the sheer amount of work and dedication I gave towards my course. I am willing to do whatever work necessary to achieve my goal, and I was fortunate enough to do so.
Advice for students and future plans
To any students thinking of studying law at Aston, I would 100% encourage them to do so. I believe Aston University is an extremely underrated university, particularly for law, as Aston law graduates have a great reputation. I would also encourage students to embrace the University. Studying at Aston and living in, or being from, Birmingham is something that sets you apart. If you can thrive in a world of law that is traditionally dominated by other universities by using your outstanding education from Aston and real-world experience, you will stand out.
Following graduation, I am bolstering my CV with volunteering and job roles to eventually apply for a scholarship for the Bar Practice Course (BPC) in September 2024. Then I aim to complete the course, and hopefully pass the Bar. The aim will then switch to forming my pupillage application to gain pupillage and become a qualified barrister.