Lawyers heading off on `safari' to Africa

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Sept 18, 2004

Byline: Kaie Campling ,

Africa bound Chris Goodwin (left) presents a sponsorship cheque to Emma Spragg and Jeremy Garside

A YOUNG Huddersfield lawyer is set to teach fellow trainees in Uganda about good office practice.

Emma Spragg, 26, will travel to the capital, Kampala, in November, along with Huddersfield solicitors Jeremy Garside, of Chadwick Lawrence, John Royle, of Eaton Smith, and Nigel Priestley, of Ridley and Hall.

The trip has been organised through a twinning scheme between Huddersfield Law Society and Uganda's national law society.

Since the link was set up in 2001, hundreds of textbooks have been sent to create a library at the Uganda Law Society headquarters.

Huddersfield solicitors have also made visits to advise Ugandan counterparts on legal matters.

The aim of November's visit will be to teach good office practices.

Mr Garside, chairman of the twinning committee, said Emma was included in the team because she would relate well to younger, newly-qualified lawyers.

He added: "Many of the lawyers will be fresh from college.

"Emma has experience of working and insights as to how good office practices can help.

"It is vital that lawyers in Uganda can hear someone of a similar age explaining why good procedures will be good for them," said Mr Garside.

Emma has just finished her legal practice course at the College of Law in Chester and is halfway through a training contract at Eaton Smith.

By next month she will have completed the contract and be fully qualified as a solicitor.

Emma's visit is being sponsored by insurance and financial services company First Title.

The sponsorship was arranged by the company's northern manager, Chris Goodwin.