Written by Joy Tawiah

My name is Joy, I am an A-level student, with aspirations to become a Family lawyer. With this experience, I have been able to differentiate the roles and responsibilities that a family lawyer/mediator executes in various cases.

On the first day of my work experience, I got to understand the duties that often take place at any law firm, thus giving me an idea of what working as a mediator/legal advisor involves. From sending emails to clients and courts, the procedure, and standards of each, to understanding the importance of the documents involved in Civil and Family court proceedings. From the first day, I could see the fairness that mediators strive to implement between the persons and their property (finances), particularly regarding the children (if present).

I also got the opportunity to take part in more administrative duties like organising relevant documents, where I was able to apply attention to detail skills, a skill that I will ultimately need in my future endeavours. In addition to this, I learned and applied different practical skills, skills that are increasingly being used in this modern age, such as placing E-signatures on online documents. This process helped me practice the procedures that have to take place before all the documents are filed in court, like double-checking, ordering, signing, and understanding each document.

I was able to work on different cases which involved international affairs. Which I found very insightful as it allowed me to display and learn more skills. Furthermore, I also developed active listening skills whilst listening to a Zoom meeting with clients, whilst taking notes and understanding the dynamics of the situation, and each parties’ desires.

During my work experience at Brady Harvey Legal, I learnt to take control of my own workspace and lessons such as “Leaning time is cleaning time,” will always help me be an efficient person in the workplace. I also learnt the differences between the different courts, the County and Family Court,  where judges are present and the Magistrate’s Court where magistrates sit in, for minor criminal cases.

I really appreciated the fact that I felt comfortable asking questions about certain aspects of things I had read, which were answered in a way that I could understand, which says a lot about the type of environment I had the privilege to work in. For example, Part 20 (CPR 20) and how a defendant can become a Part 20 claimant when they bring in a third party if they believe that the third party is at fault. I was also able to conduct my own research on other projects. One of my research projects was understanding what Part 17 is, in relation to the Amendment to Statement  Case.

By working on these projects, I was able to develop a longer span of attention, as I had to review documents, double check my work, send an email to the Court filing a D50E Application et al. And in a separate case for a final hearing, I participated in creating drafts and organising documents. I separated and organised the documents into applications & orders and communication/correspondence folders.

Through this experience, I can confidently say that I have learnt a lot and have taken away important lessons to help make myself desirable to employers looking for solicitor apprentices.

Written by Joy Tawaih, A-level student at St Paul’s Catholic School