Where do you work?
I work for Islamic Relief Worldwide which is headquartered in Digbeth, Birmingham. Established in 1984, the charity organisation now operates in over 45 countries and has saved and transformed the lives of more than 120 million people. We deliver lifesaving emergency aid and essential services, including healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene – regardless of race, religion or gender.
We also focus on projects that work towards poverty alleviation, climate action, gender justice, and forced displacement. We are one of only 5 UK-based charities to have been certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard which is a globally recognised, measurable standard that sets out nine commitments that organisations need to meet. These are that people affected by crisis:
- Can exercise rights and participate in decisions
- Access timely and effective support
- Are better prepared and more resilient
- Access support that does not harm people/environment
- Can safely report concerns and complaints
- Access coordinated and complementary support
- Access support adapted based on feedback
- Interact with respectful, competent and well-managed staff
- Can expect ethical and responsible management of resources.
We are also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, which brings together 15 leading aid charities to raise funds quickly at the times of crisis for example floods, earthquakes and more. Each year we continue to grow, and we are expanding our reach to support even more people worldwide.
What is your role?
I am a trainee solicitor who sits within the legal department. I am currently undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route to qualify as a solicitor.
As part of this pathway, I am completing my qualifying work experience (QWE) at Islamic Relief while studying for my graduate solicitor apprenticeship at BPP University. The SQE route requires two years of qualifying work experience and the successful completion of both SQE1 and SQE2 exams. I aim to qualify as a solicitor in 2026.
What kind of work do you do?
Working in-house rather than in private practice allows me to engage in a broad variety of legal work. I am exposed to various areas of law and regulation, particularly those relevant in the charity sector and set by the Charity Commission. As a registered charity, we must comply with numerous legal and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Charities Act 2011, Charities Act 2022, Trustees Act 2000, and the Code of Fundraising Practice.
The responsibilities of registered charities to comply with the rules and regulations are extensive, and non-compliance can have serious consequences. The legal department’s role therefore is to ensure compliance, manage risks and also to provide legal guidance to the organisation.
The type of work I do includes contract review, covering a range of commercial agreements such as sponsorship agreements, partnership agreements, and supplier agreements. I also handle property related matters, data protection compliance, notarisation and legalisation of documents, as well as general legal queries from within the organisation.
Additionally, I provide support to the legal counsels and the general counsel.
What tips do you have for paralegals, trainees or apprentices working in-house?
My biggest advice for those who are new to the legal profession is to put yourself out there and take advantage of every learning opportunity. Here are my key tips:
- Volunteer to help legal counsels with various tasks – no matter how small. This will help broaden your knowledge across different areas of law as well as helping you come across as enthusiastic and willing to learn.
- Create a LinkedIn account and start connecting with other legal professionals, this will help you build a network of like-minded individuals.
- Get involved with different networking groups such as Birmingham Law Society, Birmingham Solicitors Group, Birmingham Trainee Solicitors Society, etc. I have made many friends by attending these events that I wouldn’t have made without putting myself out there. I know it can be nerve-wracking to attend these events, especially if you go alone (like I did), but everyone is in the same boat and super friendly.
- Ask to sit in on meetings with legal counsel. By doing this, you will observe the type of questions they ask, their interaction with clients, and the legal advice that they provide.
- Put yourself forward when it comes to opportunities. There have been many times I have volunteered to do presentations and this really helps to build confidence – I truly think that your growth and progress comes from stepping outside your comfort zone!
- Take advantage of working in-house, as you will be exposed to a wide range of legal areas. By being pro-active and getting involved in different projects you can get a clearer understanding of where your strengths lie and what you enjoy.
- Keep a diary of the different tasks that you conduct so that you can reflect on how far you have come on your journey. This will also help if you are doing the SQE route as you can use it to contribute towards your QWE evidence.
- If, like me, you are balancing the SQE and working at the same time, try to keep on top of your lectures and start your revision early. This will help avoid unnecessary stress during exam time. And throughout your journey, keep in mind your end goal of qualification – it will keep you motivated on even the toughest days!
Links
Core Humanitarian Standard: https://www.corehumanitarianstandard.org/
Disasters Emergency Committee: https://www.dec.org.uk/
By Soffia Farmer, Trainee Solicitor at Islamic Relief Worldwide and Committee Member of Birmingham Law Society’s In-House Lawyers Committee