Origins of "Law for All"
Pictured: Saahir Nazar, Former President of the Queen Mary Law for All Society (2022-23). After graduating in July 2023, Saahir began his Masters in Legal Theory at UCL and will pursue the SQE before starting a training contract with a commercial law firm.
In June 2022, the Queen Mary Law for All Society (QMLFAS) began a new chapter under the leadership of Saahir Nazar. With a background as the Non-Law Representative for the Queen Mary Bar Society, Saahir approached his role as President with a vision to empower the non-law student body at Queen Mary. His aim was to create a welcoming platform where students from all disciplines could engage with the field of law.
Through collaboration and dedication, Saahir and his team were able to secure sponsorships from 10 leading law firms (e.g. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) and chambers (e.g. One Essex Court). This support provided the society with new resources and opportunities, leading to a significant increase in participation, growing from 50 to 200 active members each month spanning subjects from economics to history. In addition to hosting 15+ career events comprising of practice area overviews from partners and KC's, the team founded conferences focusing on international human rights law, featuring high-profile political figures such as the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom.
A key milestone during this period was the launch of the ‘QMLFAS Law in Context Review,’ a peer-reviewed legal journal designed to invite contributions from students across all academic backgrounds. This initiative sought to broaden the understanding of law within its wider societal contexts, reflecting QMLFAS's commitment to interdisciplinary learning.
The society has continued to grow under the leadership of Iven Shen (President, 2023-24) through an increased number of mooting and negotiation competitions, cementing its reputation as a central hub for aspiring lawyers from both law and non-law backgrounds. With over 1,500 followers across social media platforms, QMLFAS stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collective effort and a shared passion for the law.
Saahir's journey serves as a source of inspiration for all students at Queen Mary, encouraging them to contribute to the ongoing growth of the society and carve their own paths in the legal field.