Please, tell us something about yourself.

• Name: Daniel Harvey
• Current position: Civil Servant and Student on the Barrister Practitioner Course
• Goals: To become an Intellectual Property Barrister and to write another publication

Why did you choose to study Law at Royal Holloway?

I chose to study Law at Royal Holloway for two reasons. Firstly, they are part of the University of London which has a renowned reputation. Secondly, when I studied at Royal Holloway, I was part of the first cohort of Law students. This opportunity allowed for more one-to-one attention from tutors, and it allowed for a close knit community. Both of which helped me develop enormously.

What was your experience like at RHUL? What did you enjoy the most?

I think it would do RHUL and the Law department an injustice to only say there was one thing I enjoyed. I enjoyed the interactions with my lecturers who always encouraged my inquisitive nature. This opportunity to be able to think freely allowed me to discover one of my true passions in Law- Intellectual Property.  I also enjoyed mooting which is one of the reasons why I am pursuing a career at the Bar.

Did you take advantage of any of the extra-curricular activities organised by the Department? Do you think they helped you? How and why?

I took part in many extra-curricular activities organised by the Law Department, namely, voice training, mooting and more. I particularly enjoyed mooting and apply skills I learnt from mooting to this very day as a civil servant and student on the Bar course.

How did your experience at the Department prepare for your career?

It prepared me for my current role by teaching me how to write and speak persuasively as well as conduct thorough legal research. Furthermore, the LLB has fulfilled the academic criteria for me to study the Barrister Training Course.

Are there any members of the academic and administrative staff who you would like to commend for the support they gave you?

I would like to commend several members of staff for the support they gave me. Firstly, Dr Rita D’Alton Harrison who always helped me pursue my ambitions even when I changed my mind on what specialism I wanted to pursue. I would like to thank Dr David Yuratich for his constant support and help during my time studying the EU Law module. Without Dr Yuratich’s assistance, my time at RHUL would not have been as good. Lastly, I would like to thank Robert Jago who taught me from the first day of RHUL that to come unprepared to anything is an incredibly bad idea!

Did you enjoy your years at RHUL?

Yes. My years at RHUL were challenging but extremely enjoyable at the same time.

Any tips for applicants or newly-enrolled students?

Perseverance, grit and determination. Albeit, I have not got to my goal as of yet and I probably have taken a “odd” route to the bar. I will never give up on my goal of becoming a barrister and neither should you. The legal profession can be difficult to get into but once you are in you will not regret it.