Young Tamils launch Association of British Tamil Lawyers

A group of young Tamil legal professionals officially launched the Association of British Tamil Lawyers (ABTL) which aims to provide business, networking and educational opportunities for Tamil lawyers and students alike. The organisation uniquely offers a support network by pairing Tamil lawyers with aspiring lawyers through one-to-one mentoring schemes and other professional training methods. 

ABTL was formed following research conducted by the Solicitors Regualtion Authority and the Bar Council last year, which exposed the disproportionate numbers of Black, Asian and minority ethnic lawyers in both professions. 

The association is partnered with 33 Bedford Row Chambers, a leading common law set based in London.

ABTL “creates a space to ensure that young lawyers who want to come into the profession are supported and develop a career in the law where they feel that they can thrive without obstacles and barriers”, said Dr S Chelvan, chair of the executive committee and leading immigration and public law barrister of 33 Bedford Row Chambers during his introductory speech.

Dr Chelvan, who fled Sri Lanka during the anti-Tamil riots in the late 1970s, shared his own journey to the legal field. 

“I was born in Sri Lanka and like a lot of us in the Tamil community, share the intersectional identity of not only being a Tamil but also being an immigrant.” 

“Growing up in the UK as a Tamil in the 70s and 80s, when there wasn’t a large Tamil community as there is now in many of the big cities, was this feeling of difference. We have that lived experience through watching what our parents go through racism, xenophobia, ignorance and the fact that they had to put in so much work to be able to progress with their careers. Sometimes they were unable to overcome those obstacles.”

“There were lots of obstacles and hurdles, but there are people out there to support you. People who identify those who are passionate about having a career as a lawyer and provide that space. That is why ABTL is so important to me. We [the experienced lawyers] are here to provide the support and to open the doors to ensure that if you are passionate about the law, that you will not have to face the amount of obstacles and hurdles which we had to,” he added. 

Kamal Arulvel, partner at Reed Smith LLP and senior member of the ABTL advisory committee, emphasised on the need for more racial diversity in the corporate legal sector. The lack of lawyers from ethnic minority groups in senior roles in the corporate field are “stark”, he stressed.

The virtual event was also attended by Simonne McIvor, former solicitor and barrister and Vasanti Selvaratnam QC, barrister and joint Head of The 36 Group Chambers and senior member of the ABTL advisory committee who welcomed the initiative. 

The event was deliberately launched during Tamil heritage month, a month in which celebrations were held across numerous boroughs, celebrating the Tamil language and culture.