Why this Law student, from Bradford was at the Supreme Court

Rukhsar Jahangir 21, from Bingley, who is studying law at the University of Huddersfield, participated in Mooting (a mock trial) at The Supreme Court in London, where she was selected to advocate as Lead Counsel for a defendant appealing to change a murder charge for manslaughter.

The case was presided by The Right Honourable Lord Richards of Camberwell, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Rukhsar Jahangir and The right Honourable, Lord Richards of Camberwell, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Image: UGC (Image: UGC)

Rukhsar who won the appeal, said: “This was only my second time at Mooting as I’ve been really ill, it was a difficult case considering, it had been to two courts before this, but I’m glad I got it down to a manslaughter charge.

“At my first competition, no one really had faith in me, it was for a commercial case, but I won, so my tutor put me forward for this case at the Supreme Court.”

Rukhsar has recently been discharged from the hospital, after contracting an illness and has been juggling her studies with her illness.

“My tutor was really impressed that I was doing well in my modules, considering my circumstances. I was in hospital for a month with an infection, and doctors still don’t know what’s wrong.”

She hopes to become a barrister and work as a coroner after she passes the Bar, but before then  Rukhsar has plans to help young South Asian, Muslim girls get further in law.

Rukhsar Jahangir,21, a Law student at the University of Huddersfield participated in Mooting at The Supreme Court, London. Image: UGC (Image: UGC)

Whilst studying at university and through LinkedIn, she’s helped young girls in the field, overcome challenges and has been appointed as an ambassador for the society ‘Ladies of Law’.

Rukhsar added: “I want girls to feel confident and I want them to have these opportunities. People think you have to be posh or go to Oxford and Cambridge to be invited to events and competitions like this- you really don’t.

“I want to increase the representation of South Asian Muslim girls in law and if they can see me doing it then they can too.

“We hear a lot of girls saying their parents won’t let them go to certain competitions or to university but if can set an example, then hopefully I can help them.”

Rukhsar spoke about wearing her Hijab to The Supreme Court and felt it was important to highlight that, people shouldn’t feel hesitant about who they are and what they’re wearing, in this competition it’s all about how you speak and win the case.

“Muslim girls might feel hesitant going with their Hijab, but the judge doesn’t care about what you’re wearing, it’s about how you win the case and how you speak.”

“People ask me for advice all the time via LinkedIn and I always say, ‘if you want to do something put your head to it and do the work, everything you want doesn’t come quickly’.”