The week in which I have spent with Burke Niazi has been truly invaluable in giving me a clear insight into the daily workload and challenges associated with Mental Health law.
Working closely with Burke Niazi solicitors, I have been able to admire and learn from their skills of liaison, persuasion and communication, through observing their conduct with clients in interviews, and taking note of their manner of discourse when conversing and deliberating with other professionals. Yet, through having the opportunity to analyse real case studies, consider the legal implications of them, and then formulate cases to defend the clients, I have not only learnt through observation, but practice. This has also enlightened me as to how challenging it can be to defend a client when the evidence at hand is not in their favour, yet I have learnt that fundamentally, the role of a solicitor is to translate the client’s views and wants, despite the circumstance or their own personal viewpoint.Courteney Mbulu, 16, Henrietta Barnett School