At the heart of the Ismaili community lies a strong ethic of service and volunteering in the community. Across the globe, members of the Jamat work hard and continue to practise this ethic in various ways.
Earlier this year, the services of several members of the UK National Council’s Legal Team was officially recognised via the newly-established Pro Bono Recognition List. Pro Bono work is a long-standing tradition of legal professionals volunteering their time to provide free legal assistance to individuals and charities. The Law Society defines Pro Bono work as “legal advice or representation provided free of charge by legal professionals in the public interest.”
The List recognises barristers and solicitors who provided at least 25 hours of pro bono legal assistance over the last year. It also marks a proud moment for the Jamat, since it recognises lawyers Imran Bhatia, Aalia Datoo, Tanya Jamal, Shabinah Ladha, Kulbir Rahi, Naadim Shamji, Naureen Shariff, and Karim Vellani for their commendable acts of service to the Jamat. These lawyers have also been supported by trainee solicitors, paralegals, law students and lawyers qualified in other jurisdictions practising in the UK.
These individuals have placed great effort to provide countless hours of support to the Jamat, sharing their expertise and experience. The matters discussed ranged from crime, domestic disputes, employment, human rights, housing, resettlement applications for vulnerable refugees, wills, and probate, as well as commercial issues.
The establishment of the list itself marked a historical milestone as Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill—who created the List—is the first woman to hold the position of Chief Justice since the inception of the role in the thirteenth century.
For the Jamati Institutions, a variety of legal advice is frequently required regarding the rental of campsites for youth camps, booking spaces for events and Baitul Ilms, and navigating data privacy and safeguarding arrangements.
“Laws are relevant to every action and decision we take, as individuals or institutions,” said Aalia Datoo, Member for Legal Matters for the Ismaili Council for the UK, and one of the lawyers recognised on the list. “I'm grateful for team members across our jurisdiction who are frequently—and silently—helping the Jamat and the institutions in navigating these laws.”
“In our line of work we are often breaking difficult news or hand holding people through challenging life moments, so it has been really special for our team to be recognised in this way.”
Although the work carried out by the lawyers is not a substitute for legal aid or funded work, it is still a valuable part of the system of justice. The Jamat and its various Institutions benefit first-hand from legal information, signposting, pro bono advice and representation, as help is often provided to those who might not otherwise receive legal assistance.
Whilst the work primarily happens behind the scenes due to each lawyer’s professional duty of confidentiality, their service has gained them well-deserved recognition on the esteemed list.
