Looking at the Future of Law

On Thursday 8th December I had the opportunity to chair a discussion panel at the University of Leicester Law School looking at the ‘Future of Law’.

It was good to be able to ask the panelists a range of questions about their experiences, their journey into law, and the challenges they have faced.  We also looked and what has changed over the years and what changes they would like to see in relation to law in the future.

Panellists were:

• Angela Titley-Vial – Angela is a solicitor of almost 33 years post qualification experience, having been
  articled at Charnwood Borough Council in the late 1980s before passing her Law Society Finals and
  qualifying in 1990.
• Kye Herbert is a specialist Family/Children Law Barrister, a manager of a team of lawyers in local
  government and an active member of his local Family Justice Board.
• Altamish Isaani completed his law degree and graduated earlier this year from De Montfort
  University, he is currently the student liaison officer for Leicestershire Junior Lawyers Division.
• Students:
  1. Rachel Addai, who has a LLB (hons) degree. Rachel attends DMU and is currently doing her
  LPC/LLM
  2. Thelma Mogopa attends University of Leicester and is undertaking a LLB Law. She is
  originally from Botswana and from Wiltshire.

Some of the suggestions put forward on the latter point were an increase in the number of women in the legal profession across the board as well as in more senior positions; easier access to entering law for people who are more neurodiverse, more practically focused, etc; and more people from a greater range of ethnicities.

This event was a big part of Gina Samuel-Richards’ Presidency of the Leicestershire Law Society with her focus being all on legacy planning and the future, which was represented by all of our attendees.
The panellists were very inspiring and the students got to hear about the different routes to law and were given some great advice to help guide them on their career journeys.

There was a big emphasis given on support, mental health, and the importance of networking and building experience through the likes of volunteering. The evening ended with students and panellist meeting and enjoying further conversations.