The People Behind The Programme

This programme brings together academic leadership, advocacy training, and real-world legal insight to reflect how law is actually practised.

Real Practice. Real Cases. Real London.

/ Programme Leadership

Michael Mansfield, Advocacy Advisory International team member, in light blue suit jacket, white shirt, and blue tie. Smiling with light‑coloured hair against dark background, professional portrait emphasising approachability and expertise.

Michael Mansfield KC

Featured Voice
Barrister, Nexus Chambers | Human Rights and Public Interest Law | Advocate for Mental Health Awareness | Founder of SOS Silence of Suicide

Layla Dean‑Verity, Advocacy AI team member, wearing formal legal attire including white barrister’s wig, black robe, and white collar bands. Professional portrait against plain neutral background emphasising authority, tradition, and legal expertise.

Layla Dean-Verity

Founder, Advocacy Advisory International

Can Eken, Advocacy AI team member, wearing dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie with glasses. Standing outdoors before stone building with classical columns, lantern, and brass handrail, formal professional portrait emphasising professionalism, authority, and classical setting.

Professor Can Eken

Head of Academic Programme & Delivery
Assistant Professor, Durham University

/ Advocacy Trainers

Barristers and judges delivering practical advocacy through live exercises, courtroom simulation, and case-based work.

Tahir Khan, Advocacy AI team member, wearing formal judicial attire including white wig, purple robe, red sash, and white neck band. Professional portrait indoors with recessed ceiling lights and framed wall art, emphasising authority, tradition, and legal expertise.

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.

Reza Choudhury, Advocacy AI team member, in dark suit jacket, light pink shirt, and blue tie with pink dot pattern. Seated on brown leather couch indoors with framed artworks and wall‑mounted light fixture, professional portrait emphasising expertise and approachable style.

Reza Choudhury

Barrister, St Dunstan’s Chambers

Delivers practical advocacy training focused on oral argument, case analysis, and courtroom technique.

Louise Jacqueline Azmi, professional portrait against light grey background, arms crossed with confident expression. Wearing dark navy dress with high neckline and short sleeves, accessorised with silver wristwatch and subtle makeup. Formal business image emphasising professionalism, confidence, and polished executive style.

Louise Jacqueline Azmi

Partner, Skrine Advocates & Solicitors
(Malaysia)

Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.
Trainer - Malaysian Bar Council Advocacy Training Course
Barrister at Law.

/ Contributors / 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.

Charis Tan, Advocacy AI team member, wearing bright blue blazer over white top. Professional portrait in office setting with light walls and glass partition, emphasising formality, professionalism, and contemporary workplace style.

Charis Tan

Partner, Peter & Kim (Singapore)

Provides insight into international legal practice and cross-border work at partner level.

Diona Howard‑Nicolas, Advocacy AI team member, wearing dark suit jacket, white collared shirt, and patterned pocket square. Long styled dreadlocks, professional portrait against plain grey background emphasising formality, professionalism, and distinctive personal style.

Diona Howard-Nicolas

Partner, Bruch Law (United States)

Shares insight into client strategy, case management, and the realities of legal practice.

Assel Upetova, Advocacy AI team member, wearing light blazer and patterned black‑and‑white text scarf. Shoulder‑length brown hair, standing indoors against wooden panel and light green wall, professional portrait emphasising professionalism and approachable style.

Assel Utepova

Judge of the District Court of Almaty, Academic Lecturer at Global Case (Kazakhstan)

Shaffaf Shahid Latif, Advocacy AI team member, wearing collared shirt and blazer with hair neatly tied back. Grayscale professional portrait against brick wall background emphasising formality, professionalism, and timeless style.

Shaffaf Shahid Latif

Academic Contributor, International Legal Education
Assistant Professor, HOD Law, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore (Pakistan)

/ Behind the Programme Team

The programme is supported by a dedicated team working behind the scenes across technology, operations, content, and delivery – ensuring a seamless experience from application through to programme participation.

Bilal Ejaz, Advocacy AI team member, wearing black suit, white shirt, and dark tie. Professional headshot against plain light purple background, smiling to emphasise approachability, professionalism, and team presence.

Bilal Ejaz

Technology Director

Leads the technical infrastructure and systems supporting the programme.

rahat shah 1

Rahat Shah

Operations and Systems Director

Leads operational strategy, systems architecture, and delivery infrastructure.

Mehdi Dana professional portrait with short dark hair, wearing dark blue collared shirt. Facing forward against smooth light purple gradient background with even lighting and clear focus, emphasising professionalism and clarity.

Mehdi Dana

Programme Systems Development Director

Leads the development and build of programme systems, ensuring scalable and robust delivery.

Naina Hamayoun portrait with long wavy black hair, wearing white top. Calm expression while looking directly at camera, set against neutral indoor background. Professional image emphasising poise, approachability, and team presence.

Naina Hamayoun

Journalist - Content & Editorial

Leads content development and editorial production for the programme, capturing practitioner insight, interviews, and visual storytelling across platforms.

Anonymous silhouette placeholder image for Advocacy AI team member profile, black head‑and‑shoulders outline on transparent background, generic default icon used when portrait is unavailable.

Daniyal Ghorcy

Marketing & Communications

Supports marketing strategy and communications, working across campaigns, content distribution, and audience engagement.

/ Collaborations

Emblem of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan with stylised blue classical building, columns, and flag. Lady Justice depicted with scales and sword, accompanied by Kazakh text ‘ЖОҒАРҒЫ СОТ’ and ‘ҚАЗАҚСТАН РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫҢ ЖОҒАРҒЫ СОТЫ,’ representing fairness, law, and judicial authority.

Kazakhastan Government

We collaborate with legal institutions and organisations internationally. This includes prior judicial training initiatives delivered in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan. These engagements reflect our commitment to cross-border legal practice and professional development.

The Actualisation Lab logo with blue circular design incorporating three ascending bar chart shapes and curved upward arrow, symbolising growth and progress. Bold capital letters display company name, professional branding style.

Actualisation Lab

Provides psychometric assessment and developmental insight to support participant growth and self-awareness.

A behavioural and performance consultancy providing psychometric insight and development frameworks.

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, bringing traditional advocacy into dialogue with emerging technologies and ethical AI, while extending their own practice and professional reach across jurisdictions.