My time at the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) has ended, and it has been an amazing and really useful experience.I am grateful to have been seconded over as part of my training contract at Lyons Davidson, a leading UK law firm and a founding member of ACSO.
One of the most rewarding experiences was helping ACSO respond to multiple consultations; for example, I was asked to research and write ACSO’s response to the Department for Transportation (DfT) consultation on ‘New cycling offences: causing death or serious injury when cycling’. Being truly interested in regulatory law and motor defences, I was very grateful to the team for allowing me to pursue my interests and develop my skills through the experience.
I was also able to attend a Solicitors Regulation Authority round table on behalf of ACSO, one of many opportunities to create future changes concerning the civil justice system by putting consumer needs at the forefront of its policymaking.
Responding to consultations and calls for evidence has allowed me to get creative with my wider research skills. Throughout my time on the secondment, I have been encouraged to think outside the box and take initiative with my writing, which I thought I would struggle with but have enjoyed the most.
My experience at ACSO will be invaluable as I head into the property department here at Lyons Davidson. I would recommend the secondment programme to other trainee solicitors. It is a unique experience and a great opportunity to see how the law operates outside private practice.
Finally, I would like to thank my ACSO colleagues for their support and guidance during my time as a secondee.