“Reflecting on My Change: A Christmas Tribute and New Year’s resolutions”

This Christmas marks significant change and bittersweet milestones. After six years of celebrating Christmas dinner alongside my best friend Simon in Worcester, he tragically passed away this year. As I reflect on all I am grateful for, I deeply feel Simon’s absence. I lost my beloved Dad. He was the first person who taught me compassion, held my hand and encouraged me to go forward and start my MD journey.

I will miss walking the cobbled streets of Worcester under festive lights, gazing at the Cathedral, and reminiscing about summertime hikes up the Malvern Hills. Though Simon is gone, fond memories of strolls along the River Severn and sampling the famous Worcestershire sauce will remain close to my heart.

Despite enduring the loss of my father and my displacement from Worcester, where Simon lived on 74 London Road, this year held milestones to celebrate:

  1. My Bar course continues successfully, bolstered by my university’s support amid homelessness. I passed resits and completed qualifying sessions for my degree.
  2. I completed a mini-pupillage at the renowned Garden Court Chambers in London. Link
  3. Shadowing 2 High Court Judges expanded my legal knowledge and networks. Blessed with a mentor who is a Judge.
  4. I am honoured to be invited to the Windsor Castle ” His Majesty’s The King’s Coronation Concert’ for my contribution to the Community by ‘His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Ms Lucy Winskell, OBE’ . Link
  5. My election as an Inner Temple Ambassador recognises my contributions to the law community.
  6. Interviews on Times Radio and Anadolu Agency (Turkish National Media- Link) allowed me to share my legal expertise. Link
  7. My son turned 7 years old this year. As his father, I represented myself in family court to secure his best interests, defended the relocation application and managed to adjourn the court with a positive outcome until February 2024.
  8. Volunteering for university open days lets me encourage new generations of aspiring lawyers.
  9. My training scheme with the Crown Prosecution Service provided practical learning.
  10. My training with the Local Government Lawyering Scheme with Darlington County Council is ongoing.
  11. Selection for the Ministry of Justice Graduate Aspiration Programme reflects my promise.
  12. For a third time, I earned a place on the Contribution Roll, my law school’s Contribution Honour Roll. Link
  13. A University of Oxford and UNESCO course on press freedom expanded my experience.
  14. As a panellist at an anti-slavery event by Allign with Stella Marris Charity, I contributed to important dialogues.
  15. Most importantly, I have found purpose and meaning by following my calling to serve my community.
  16. Featured in the national newspaper ‘The Observer’ for my volunteering in the Local Citizens advice. Link
  17. I attended a number of law events, networking events, and dinners, and I have already finished my bar qualifying sessions with Inner Temple.
  18. I have been invited to give a speech in the honourable Society of Inner Temple to the new Bar Course joiners. It was one of my dreams.
  19. Gave a speech at Glasgow rally about refugee link
  20. I did an in-person lecture for the Edge Hill University 3rd year Geography and criminology students about ” The Critical Geography of Modern Slavery” and politics. Link
  21. Countless rejections strengthened my perseverance on the path towards my goals.

My drive to enact positive change endures as I set resolutions for 2024: I shall-

  1. Successfully qualifying as a barrister and I wish to give a speech at my inauguration (if the University permits)
  2. Securing a pupillage and job to support my son
  3. Continuing to uplift vulnerable groups
  4. Learning from mistakes and embodying adaptive, ethical leadership
  5. Maintaining relationships with mentors providing wisdom on my journey
  6. I shall continue volunteering in NHS, Fire Service and Support Through Court (Link)
  7. I will continue my campaign for asylum seeker and refugee rights and Modern Slavery victims,
  8. My hobbies of Playing Cricket, travelling, blogging, Mds Little Help Dinner Club and photography will continue.

With resilience and the support of loved ones, I am prepared to pursue my purpose while honouring those no longer physically here beside me. Onwards to a bright New Year!

Thank you, and my tribute to everyone, especially my mentors and (respected)- Micheal Stockdale, Peter Judge MBE, Sir Charles Prest KC, Nusrat Uddin, Luke Swinehoe, Regan Persaud, Mukhtier Singh, Ms Debbie, Delphine Defpssez, Brain sir, Willaim Hedley, Adam Ramshaw, Nicola Wake, Anirudh Mathur, Mia Hakl Law, Laura Dibansky KC, Anna Edgar, Anna, Lesley, Biard, Rowan, Maddy, Sam, Mohaned, Elizabeth, Tutul, Rosie, Mark, Joan, Jenny, Alice, Brain, Habib Rahaman, Meherban, Pasha, Ed, Caseway, Phill, Sarah, TWFRS, VODA, NHS, Support through Court, Hope for the young, Pamela, Judith, Paul, Cara, Emily, Johnny, Luise, Faye, Mama, Sabrina, Titu, Dalim, Mizan, Mamun, Bola, Razu, John Beats, Jack Davies, Kariyakos, Sally, Keerum Akhthter, Nipa Sultana for your enormous support to me and those whoever is reading this post.

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