Legally Powered

  Being a law student and never having been to the Supreme Court, it was something at the top of my ‘to do’ list. Now for any wheelchair user the first step is preparation so I rang up the enquiries line at the Supreme Court to make sure I could gain access first and to see what I could and couldn’t take in.   Upon phoning, I was greeted by a lovely cheery lady on the other end of the phone who could not have been more helpful and advised that gaining access was not a problem. Step one, tick Some court buildings, especially when court is in session, do not allow phones or food to be taken in. Luckily, the Supreme Court do allow these things, within guides of course!   Step two, tick So planning the day precisely, packing everything but the kitchen sink into my bag, booking my support worker for a very long day and booking the taxi to get me there, I set off on my journey. Step three, tick. Preparation is key! Now the next bit of information, whilst is slightly e...

By Victoria-Jayne Scholes Remote Working Alicia Alina (40) is the Chief People Officer for leading law firm Slater & Gordon . Although she has only been in her position for ten months she has certainly made her mark. One of her visions, initiatives and big changes for the business is remote working. Escalated by Covid-19, this is something that she has advised will continue long after the pandemic. Alicia’s vision has been backed by a very forward thinking board who allows her to express her ideas and run with them. The trial of remote working has been immensely successful and in a recent engagement survey with staff most of them asked for remote working to be made permanent. On listening to their staff this is what they have done. One area this will help with is diversity, especially disability. Alicia informed me “There is no sense of inequality and it treats everyone the same. It allows them to make decisions that is right for them”. Come September when the lease ends on...

Legally Powered at the Supreme Court When choosing a career in law I didn’t even think about my disability being an issue. However, it was something my close family and friends often questioned. I would quickly silence them with ‘it’s the legal profession, there is not going to be a problem’. How I was wrong! I started my journey by trying to decide if I wanted to be a barrister or solicitor, so I started my research into different firms and chambers and armed with my top choices for chambers, off I went to a pupillage fair. My first stop was my top choice which here will remain nameless. There I was sat in my chair. The gentleman seemed kind enough, humoured me with the ins and outs of the workings of the chamber, drew me in. This was it! I liked this chamber! I liked this man! I think they are my top choice to apply to! Then came the killer: “the only issue we have is we are a listed building so have no access as we are on the first floor, so with you being in a wheelchair I don’t...