Siobhan Samuel joined the chambers' staffing team in April. To celebrate Pro Bono Week, she discusses how becoming a casework volunteer with Advocate in her spare time has helped her in the early stages of her legal career.
Please tell us about the pro bono support you did
A few months ago, I became a casework volunteer for Advocate. I mainly assist the casework team from the initial request for assistance, to the point of allocating cases to a barrister. Currently I am supporting Advocate's family team with public law: children matters, drafting case summaries and preparing bundles using the information provided by individuals who require legal assistance.
What impact did the pro bono support have on the people and communities you worked with?
Casework volunteers are an integral part of the casework process at Advocate. I help the applicants by highlighting what important legal documents are missing from their application form and offer them guidance about what may strengthen their application.
For those who are unable to obtain their own representation, this process can seem overwhelming and confusing, so they find it a huge relief when someone is there to guide them through.
Did your pro bono support have an impact on your professional career? If so, in what ways?
The role of casework volunteer appealed to me because I wanted to support those who would otherwise have to go through the lengthy court application process on their own. However, it has also given me the opportunity to work across all areas of law, many of which are new to me.
Volunteering with the casework team has equipped me with valuable legal skills at an early stage in my career, such as the ability to convey complex matters clearly and empathetically to the applicants.
I have also developed a great working relationship with the team at Advocate, who have all been so welcoming.
Any final comments
The court process is daunting for anyone, but particularly for those who are not supported with expert advice. Giving just a few hours a week makes a huge difference to those who have not yet had the opportunity to be heard.
Even if you are not a qualified lawyer, there are still ways in which you are able to offer your support. The caseworking volunteer programme is a great way for anyone thinking about a career in law to gain first-hand legal experience- whilst making a difference to someone’s life. I’d encourage all aspiring lawyers to apply.