In his role as Solicitor General, Michael recently went on a Law Tour in the Midlands, North West and Wales with the Attorney General.
The tour was to look at victim support measures and to explore how law is supporting local communities, as well as meeting local lawyers working in those areas.
They met staff at CPS West Midlands, including those who run the Serious Violence, Organised Crime and Exploitation Unit. This team brings together a team of prosecutors and paralegal staff who have extensive experience of prosecuting cases involving serious gang-related violence, serious drug dealing offences, including county lines, as well as modern slavery and exploitation.
In Nottingham they spoke to lawyers, and also visited Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, to hear about their vital work supporting victims. In Manchester they met government lawyers to discuss the vital work they do and their important contributions to society, and also heard from prosecutors and clinicians about how victims can best be supported through the court process. In Welshpool they heard from local lawyers about their work supporting families, and about the routes into a legal career for young people.
Michael said:
It was really good to speak to lawyers and others who support victims through the court process, and to hear about the work of the CPS and ISVAs in different areas. It was also great to speak to young lawyers who are just starting out, and to discuss the different areas of law open to young people – whether in private practice, or working in the Government Legal Department which is now possible in more regional places – not just in London.
