The people behind the programme
Meet the team
Academic leadership, advocacy training and real-world legal insight, brought together to reflect how law is actually practised. Real practice. Real cases. Real London.
Programme leadership
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Michael Mansfield KC
Featured voice
Barrister, Nexus Chambers. Human rights and public interest law. Advocate for mental health awareness and founder of SOS Silence of Suicide.
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Layla Dean-Verity
Founder, Advocacy Advisory International
Barrister (Inner Temple). Leads the strategic direction of the programme and its focus on real-world advocacy and ethical AI.
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Professor Can Eken
Head of Academic Programme and Delivery
Assistant Professor, Durham University. Leads the AI Ethics in Advocacy module, drawing on research in international dispute resolution, arbitration and professional judgment.
Advocacy trainers
Barristers and judges delivering practical advocacy through live exercises, courtroom simulation and case-based work.
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His Honour Judge Tahir Khan KC
Crown Court Judge
Brings judicial perspective to advocacy, offering insight into courtroom decision-making and what the bench expects from advocates.
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Reza Choudhury
Barrister, St Dunstan’s Chambers
Delivers practical advocacy training focused on oral argument, case analysis and courtroom technique.
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Louise Jacqueline Azmi
Partner, Skrine Advocates & Solicitors (Malaysia)
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya. Trainer on the Malaysian Bar Council Advocacy Training Course. Barrister at Law.
Contributors and practitioners
Legal professionals sharing real-world insight into the pathways, pressures and realities of legal careers. From paralegals to partners, understanding how law is actually lived.
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Charis Tan
Partner, Peter & Kim (Singapore)
Insight into international legal practice and cross-border work at partner level.
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Diona Howard-Nicolas
Partner, Bruch Law (United States)
Insight into client strategy, case management and the realities of legal practice.
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Assel Utepova
Judge of the District Court of Almaty; Academic Lecturer, Global Case (Kazakhstan)
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Shaffaf Shahid Latif
Assistant Professor and Head of Law, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore (Pakistan)
Academic contributor, international legal education.
Behind the programme
A dedicated team working across technology, operations, content and delivery, from application through to participation.
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Bilal Ejaz
Technology Director
Leads the technical infrastructure and systems supporting the programme.
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Rahat Shah
Operations and Systems Director
Leads operational strategy, systems architecture and delivery infrastructure.
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Mehdi Dana
Programme Systems Development Director
Leads the development and build of programme systems.
Collaborations
We collaborate with legal institutions and organisations internationally.
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Government of Kazakhstan
Prior judicial training initiatives delivered in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan, reflecting our commitment to cross-border legal practice and professional development.
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Eldwick Law
Boutique London disputes firm and internship partner.
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Actualisation Lab
A behavioural and performance consultancy providing psychometric insight and development frameworks to support participant growth and self-awareness.
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St Dunstan’s Chambers
Strategic partner.
We welcome expressions of interest from practitioners and academics who wish to contribute to the programme and engage with an international network of legal professionals. Write to info@advocacyai.uk.