Maisie Halsall is a LLB (Hons) Law student at Leeds Law School. In summer 2024, she took part in a visit to India alongside two other Leeds Law School students. She talks through the experience here.

Course: LLB (Hons) Law

Tell us a little about yourself and why you chose to study law at Leeds Beckett? 

My passion for law developed three years ago, when I learnt more about social injustices and the importance of the legal system. I decided that I wanted to enter a profession that helps people. Still to this day, I am driven by a desire to advocate for those who can’t do so themselves. 

I was introduced to Leeds Beckett when my mum and I booked a Leeds Beckett Open Day. I discovered that Leeds Law School students have access to some incredible opportunities, and after the Open Day I was certain that Leeds was where I wanted to be. 

Talk us through your cultural exchange trip to India? What did the trip involve? 

Our days in Delhi typically began with a lecture on Indian law. The University we had been placed with, The  Symbiosis Institution, did a great job of ensuring that all aspects of their legal system were covered and we could compare Indian law with laws of England and Wales. 

Our learning was not just confined to the classroom. We visited cultural and historical sites like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Red Fort, and India Gate.  We also experienced the Indian legal system first-hand during our trip to The Supreme Court and leading law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. The knowledgeable students who were looking after us also ensured that we ate a range of different foods and tasted dishes from all over the country. 

I found that I was far more immersed in the culture during this trip than I would have been pursuing a trip alone. The students helped us choose authentic Indian attire to wear for a day, and we were also lucky enough to watch Symbiosis students perform dances, sing, play instruments, and act – which was beautiful and fascinating. 

What did you enjoy about the experience? 

I thoroughly enjoyed being able to question the complexities of an unknown legal system. I have often felt sheltered from other religions as I grew up in a predominantly Christian country, so visiting a Sikh temple in Delhi was a great way to see and experience another culture. 

One of the highlights of the trip was, unsurprisingly, the trip to The Supreme Court of India where we witnessed senior judges and advocates conduct court proceedings. This was captivating and fueled my desire to work in the courtroom. I was thrilled to discuss fields of law and their journeys to becoming Supreme Court advocates.

How will the trip help you throughout the rest of your course and beyond that? 

My trip to India offered lots of opportunities that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. It not only drastically improved my legal knowledge but also improved my learning techniques and highlighted my personal values and morals. Seeing real social inequalities in India, first hand, helped emphasise where my principles aligned. In the future I intend to advocate for women’s rights and justice, I feel that society is rarely adapted to women’s needs and safety, and I felt that inequality even more whilst in India. 

Developing as a person will make me a better lawyer – I believe empathy is a fundamental quality in a barrister. Who better to represent your case, and tell your story in court than someone who has seen and experienced that same prejudice in practice? 

What would you say to people considering studying your course at Leeds Beckett? 

Leeds Law School offers so many opportunities to help get the most out of your studies, there is support available for work experience and volunteering positions. The summer school trip was just another fantastic opportunity to develop both academically and personally. I also attended an event at Lincoln’s Inn this past February, which involved a presentation on the Bar, including a panel of barristers. 

Leeds is a vibrant city with lots of legal opportunities - I have had a great experience studying at Leeds Beckett so far. I look forward to completing my education and would recommend Leeds Beckett to anybody and everybody.