Man Met graduate wins award for volunteer law work
- Masters graduate Zayd Tariq has won the Student Contribution Award
- He helped his clients win £50,000 worth of benefits
A Man Met graduate has been honoured by Manchester Law Society for championing disabled people through his voluntary work.
Zayd Tariq had just finished his master’s degree in law when he was awarded the student contribution award from the Manchester Pro Bono Law awards.
The award organisers say the aware honours “those who have demonstrated a deep commitment to access to justice and community service“.
Zayd worked 150 hours to help secure £50,000 worth benefits for 10 clients he helped through a legal advocacy project.
The clients he helped had physical and mental issues and needed extra money to be able to live comfortably. Zayd volunteered 10 hours a week alongside his studies, which he called “an intense period”.
One person Zayd secured welfare because of severe autism and anxiety. Zayd’s said: “If he had to go somewhere, he would have to take two weeks out to plan it all before he even gets set out. And when he does go, he would have to take someone with him.”
Part of Zay’s work entailed writing briefs to judges, making sure they was aware of the severity of people’s conditions so they can get the funding they need. The £50,000 worth of settlements went straight to the clients.
On the night of the awards, Zayd was nominated against a student from BPP University and the organisation Support Through Court. Zayd has said that the night “was really nice, it was really good. I met a lot of people as well and it was just a nice evening overall”.
Changing lives
Zayd said: “Knowing that I’ve changed someone’s life is a lot better to me rather than winning an award.”
HIs next aim is to is qualify as a solicitor, which entails completing two years of work experience and taking the solicitors qualifying exams.