As a trainee Solicitor at Fletchers Group, I was really keen to undertake one of my seats with the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) through its Secondment Programme. Working with ACSO piqued my interest for a number of reasons.
First, it’s an opportunity to engage with the law but from a different angle. While I know a fair amount about changes within the legal sector such Fixed Recoverable Costs and Alternative Dispute Resolution, I would not normally have the opportunity to examine them closely and appreciate their likely consequences. I look forward to my time with ACSO providing me with the opportunity to carry out in-depth research and look at the changes from a commercial perspective as well as in terms of their impact on the consumer.
Second, I am keen to see how ACSO engages with the processes of change, from dealing with government ministers and other parliamentarians to lobbying those who create the civil procedure rules. Above all, I want to make others see what all of this means to the end consumers who depend on our civil justice system.
The unique nature of this seat will give me the opportunity to meet prominent individuals within the sector and gain invaluable insight into the type of policy work and industry negotiation that happens in the background without many average case handlers ever really knowing.
I have already met all the team at ACSO, who have been nothing but welcoming. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to making lasting connections and broadening my knowledge within our sector.
ACSO members can get in touch with me by emailing darya.amin@acso.org.uk