client v police

you might think that it's easy for me to take sides but it's not especially when the truth is not being told. that's the position i was put in today and i'll be more careful in the future.

i apologise to the officer who i know was helping in his own way even though i didn't agree with his tactic. scaring the public is never the way and maybe a different approach would have worked. i don't know, but i do know that she knew what he were talking about which i wasn't impressed with, cause she should have filled me in before i made the call.

and in response to the officer no i won't be writing to the commissioner about policing.

First Month

On Monday it will be my first month in my new job as an Action Against the Police Solicitor and i have to say that i'm enjoying every moment of it. It's not just the fact that i'm instructed to complain and take action against the police who in my opinion have gone power mad, it's also that i get a chance to mix my knowledge of civil law with a new area of law which is so interesting and real. something i have wanted to do for a long time, 'real law' that makes a difference and is rewarding rather than just billing, billing and billing which is boring and a total waste of time. however although i think the police have gone power mad and are demonising themselves that doesn't mean that i pre-judge the police when i receive an enquiry about potential actions. I actually have to defend them when i hear that they are enforcing the law correctly and have to advise that there is no action against the police which doesn't go down very well with some members of the public. they just seem to think because they were not charged or no further action was taken against them that they have an automatic right to take an action against the police. what they don't seem to appreciate is that if the police don't enforce the law then we would be living in a human jungle and you wouldn't be able to complain about anyone then.

Anyways, even though for the last 3 weeks i have taken work home and spent parts of my weekend reading the codes i'm definitely looking forward to the next month and seeing what it brings.

Off now to finish of another appeal to the IPCC.

My niche!

I finally found my niche! and it's Actions aganist the Police!

Although i've only been at my new firm for a week i can see myself working in this area of law for a long, long time. As well as being a specialism it's also an interesting and challenging area of law where you can make a real difference in someone's life and hopefully contribute to changes in the way the police behave towards the public.

New legal year, new legal future.

The ugly head of activism

You may all think that if someone wants to raise awareness of a cause that is moderate and is mainstream to the public that people will support the message. That's not always the case. This week, after 3 months of organising the Stop the Spread of Guantanamitis Demo, i was taken aback by the reaction of someone who is ment to be helping those who have no one to help and support them in their time of need, but instead put themselves before the message that they say they want to give. I had no idea that egos and celebivism existed in activism but believe me they do and it's really ugly cause it makes you feel a bit sick that they care more about themselves than the people that need help.

To me the message is the most important thing not the person giving the message. I understand that in some cases you have to commercialise yourself to promote your work, your business or your craft, but that can not happen when your being an activist.

The activism comes first not you!!!

Activist Lawyer

It is hard to be an activist. Although the idea is there, sometimes the support is not. But that can not slow you down. I was recently at a Cageprisoner event, this organisation helps those still held in detention and also spreads the word about detention centres that we might not know about. there work is invaluable and i was so glad that i went and heard Moazzam and the others speak. it was this the event that i met Rosie Much who is herself an inspirational women in her ideas and thinking. she named be an activist lawyers after she heard what i was trying to organise.

http://www.facebook.com/share.php?appid=2344061033&src=box&tid=145380906132&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andyworthington.co.uk%2F#/event.php?eid=145380906132

Have some great speakers, just need the supporters now.

The time that counts

Yes, it's been nearly a full year at Shoosmiths and i can't say that i would want to re-live that experience, but sometimes it's the time that counts and i have done the time, that's for sure. but sometimes to the detriment to my physical health, but i guess every goes though a rough patch in their lives. hopefully mine is now over and i can finally focus of the things that i really want to do. Amnesty, UCL , Not Just Legal Pages and not to forget learning Arabic.

roll on the next 7 days.

The Next Chapter

It has finally happened. The Next Chapter in my life and the beginning of what i have wanted to do for such a long time. Patience is a virtue, now i understand. Nearly 3 years' qualified, worked for a national firm and now the chance to follow my dreams.