Law hopefuls link up with local solicitors

08/12/03

Law hopefuls link up with local solicitors

Two budding Perry Masons are taking the law into their own hands after teaming up with Kingston-based solicitors Colemans-ctts. Second-year Kingston University students Graham Childs and Farah Khan are working for the firm on placements that will count towards their final law degrees.

For one day a week throughout the current academic year the pair are swapping textbook theory for real-life law practice. They are being given the opportunity to sit in on client consultations and even shadow the firm’s partners during court cases.

Graham, 20, said the work placement was helping him fulfil his long-term ambition of becoming a judge. “I’ve always liked the idea of making a fair ruling on a case and this is helping me take the first step towards doing just that,” he said. Farah added that the placement was an ideal opportunity to develop on-the-job skills. “The partners are making sure we learn every aspect of how a law firm operates,” the 19-year-old said.

Assistant course director Nicola Aries said she hoped the link-up with Colemans-ctts would encourage other law firms to offer similar placements. “The scheme is already having a positive impact on our students’ work,” she explained.