Chris Osei-Owusu

• As an Afterschool Club Teaching Assistant, I have the responsibility of maintaining safeguarding for all students ranging from Nursery to Year 6 (KS1 and KS2). My everyday tasks sum from preparing educational and fun, engaging activities for the students, and acting as a classroom aide, I uphold teamwork skills by working with and helping teachers – and working really well under high intense pressure.

• I’ve been accepted into the Bar Placement Scheme from the 7th of July to the 11th of July, wherein I will be working with barrister(s) from 2 Hare Court Chambers, drafting legal documents/opinions , etc. On the last day, I will have the opportunity to go to the Royal Courts of Justice to partake in the Inns of Court College of Advocacy scheme to build my advocacy skills.

• I gained the privilege of completing a mini-pupillage and work experience with this prestigious chamber for a week by shadowing a barrister and going to court (s) daily to gain hands-on experience of what it is like to be a barrister.

I reviewed and proofread a commercial lease, correcting any inconsistencies in the draft, flagging any equivocal clauses and omissions using the Heads of Terms, which is used when the buyer and the seller agree on the main commercial terms such as the conditions, price, timescales, etc; so this was a great learning opportunity.

I prepared an engagement letter then updated the department's matters register, including the action plan(s) and deadlines.

• Gaining an insight into what it is like to be a barrister working with solicitors in different law sectors such as Public Law, International Law, Court of Protection, Civil Law. This virtual work experience trained me on how to conduct legal research and analyse guidelines and case law. It also helped me organise my research findings to be able to draft a clear, concise, and well-structured legal opinion.

• I had the role of being an advocate barrister in a mock trial, also known as a mooting competition by working with Oxford’s Faculty of Law.

• I was capable of gaining an insight into what it’s like to work in a large international law firm, with a range of expertise, ranging from commercial law to civil law. I’m also completing their virtual work experience with Forage.

• I volunteer with this association by working in a group to provide legal aid to many of the most vulnerable people in society; especially those who can’t afford a legal representative, by giving advice.

• I gained the ability to partake in mental health first aid training, in which I received an understanding of the different types of mental health conditions and became a Mental Health Peer Champion.