3 August 2017
Two new staff members – Alwyn Thomas and Kerrie Johnson (photo attached) – arrived on St Helena on Sunday, 30 July 2017, to undertake their roles as Trainee Solicitors within the Attorney General’s Chambers. Alwyn and Kerrie are on-Island for two years and are based at the Castle, in Jamestown.
During their time in Chambers, Alwyn and Kerrie will spend time within three separate departments – Community Law, Criminal Law and Civil & Constitutional Law. This is a requirement of their traineeship as they need to be exposed to at least three separate areas of law in their two-year contract, in order to seek admission to the roll of solicitors of the Law Society of England and Wales.
Alwyn and Kerrie will become solicitors at the end of their two-year contract once they have completed their Professional Skills Course and their training period at Chambers.
Alwyn, who is from St Helena, has studied law part-time since August 2011 and completed the Legal Practice Course in July 2016. He has worked full time at West Berkshire District Council for 14 years.
Alwyn gained a Law Degree and also undertook the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law. He has a Degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Hertfordshire and a Masters in Management from the University of Durham.
Alwyn said:
“I am hoping to learn as much as I can to qualify as a solicitor as well as getting involved in the community as a volunteer in local projects, such as conservation.
“Hopefully my employment with the Attorney General’s Chambers will inspire other St Helenians on the Island.”
In Kerrie’s previous employment at Leicestershire County Council, she worked in roles in Children’s & Adult’s Social Services. She has a Degree in International Law from the University of Hull. She completed the Legal Practice Course at De Montfort University in Leicester. Kerrie is currently studying the Professional Skills Course at the University of Law.
Kerrie said:
“I have wanted to work in this field of law since I was very small. My mother was having legal training before she started a family, so I have been inspired by her example.
“I have studied law since 2009 on a full and part-time basis, combining this with legal work experience, and I’m looking to learn as much as I can whilst on the Island.”
Attorney General Angelo Berbotto concluded:
“We are so pleased to finally welcome Alwyn and Kerrie to St Helena. They were selected after we sifted through around 30 applications – they were the best candidates for the post. Right after the induction they were both allocated their mentors and are already dealing with matters.
“I have worked hard to obtain trainer status with the Law Society as I considered that having trainee solicitors at Chambers would be a win-win situation. We get their enthusiasm, their legal knowledge and research skills and they get their path to qualification.
“Although the senior lawyers in Chambers will supervise the trainee’s work and mentor them, the trainees are already proving to be valuable members of the team. I encourage all young people who are interested in a career in the law to approach the trainees with any questions.”
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SHG
3 August 2017