Mani
Basi

Mani studied his Law LLB, LLM and Barristers Training Course at NTU. Despite many setbacks, Mani is a successful barrister in London and was recently awarded the Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year at the Family Law Awards. He has also published two books with the hope of more to come…

You studied your LLB, LLM and Barristers Training Course at NTU, what were your reasons for this?

I was born in a small town in Nottinghamshire. I always wanted to study at NTU due to the fantastic reputation that Nottingham Law School had. Furthermore, due to caring responsibilities and financial responsibilities, I had to remain living at home during my studies and NTU was not far from me. After studying the LLB, I really enjoyed my time at the Law School and decided to stay there to complete my Joint LLM and the Bar Course. The facilities available, both within the Law School and outside of the classroom was high quality and really assisted me in my learning.

What extra-curricular activities did you take part in?

I was able to play football and indoor cricket with my course mates on a weekly basis. I was also involved in a number of university societies, including the Sikh society, where I was able to undertake voluntary work in the local community. I was a Student Ambassador during my LLB and this enabled me to embark upon school visits to undertake outreach work at underperforming schools in the local area, which I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly as a person born in Nottinghamshire.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

I am a barrister specialising in family law. I work in cases relating to children, particularly in cases with an international element. I am in court each day undertaking advocacy.

What challenges have you faced?

I was the first member of my family who attended university, and I balanced this with my caring responsibilities. I also grew up in a working-class background and at school, I was only one of a very few minorities in terms of my race. I was reliant upon free school meals during my childhood at school and during my time at university, I struggled to pay my way through university and fund my postgraduate studies, including the bar course.

My list could go on in respect of challenges that I feel I have faced during my childhood and early adulthood, but I feel extremely lucky to be where I am now, and I am very much focused on inspiring the next generation of lawyers and helping people who have experienced similar setbacks to me.

You were awarded the Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year at the Family Law Awards, what does this mean to you?

It means a lot. To be recognised on a national scale in respect of the work I do on a day-to-day basis is a real privilege.  I feel very lucky to be where I am at now. I never imagined I could embark upon A-levels, or even go to university (I was told this by many people growing up), let alone become a barrister.

Now that I have made it, I do as much as I can – because I feel like my work is a real privilege and I am blessed with a platform to assist others. I get to make a real difference to people’s lives through the work I do as a barrister. As such, to be recognised through an award such as Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year, makes me feel extremely proud and I am grateful to all my colleagues across the legal profession for their kindness and support.

You are also a published author, tell us how this came about?

In 2023, I was fortunate enough to publish two books. The books relate to topics I deal with as a barrister. Since qualifying as a barrister, I was regularly involved in providing legal commentary (in 2022 I was awarded the Legal Commentator of the Year award) and I wanted to take it one step further and put my thoughts in a book, or two. Even though I did not read much as a child, nor was I given a meaningful platform to do so (my parents could not read English, and at school I was not given the option to study English Literature), I always inspired to publish a book.  Now I have published two! Fingers crossed, more to come, watch this space.

Visit Mani's LinkedIn profile.