Brandon Ashford
Ombudsman @Legal Ombudsman
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WORK HISTORY
Ombudsman @Legal Ombudsman
Leeds, GB
As an Ombudsman, my role is two-fold. Firstly, I am responsible for investigating high-complexity cases that could relate to any area of legal practice e.g. criminal, family, probate, employment, immigration etc. In those cases, I liaise directly with the complainants and service providers to assess the complaints against the case evidence to determine whether a firm\'s service was reasonable. Where I determine a service falls below a reasonable standard and this has caused the complainant to suffer a detriment, I can recommend a remedy that is fair and reasonable to put the complainant in the position they would have been in had the service been reasonable. Additionally, my role also requires me to undertake more supervisory responsibilities. These can include providing training and assistance to our team of investigators on our processes and various practice areas, as well as checking their work and signing off on it before it is progressed, where appropriate. As an Ombudsman, I also write case decisions and final decisions where complainants and/or service providers have not agreed with an investigator\'s initial case decision. As a Final Decision, this can then be enforced if needed and also enables the complainant or service provider to challenge my decision by way of judicial review if they disagree with the outcome or process.
EDUCATION
St Katherine's School Sixth Form
A/AS Levels, A Levels
St Katherine's School
GCSEs, GCSEs
The University of Law
BPC LLM, Law, BPC: Very Competent & LLM: Distinction
The University of Sheffield
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law (European & International), 2:1
Griffith University
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law (European & International), GPA 6.5
ABOUT BRANDON ASHFORD
Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a 2:1 LLB in European & International Law, I am drawn to the realm of public international law and the opportunity to help build a global legal system that works to protect individual rights and freedoms, where States are either unable or unwilling to do so. This is a career path that I intend to pursue vigorously at the Bar. Naturally, there is no quick route into this field of practice! My years of studying both in the UK and at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, specialising in international law and global security issues have given me a solid academic base from which to launch my career. Recognising the difficulty of breaking into such an esteemed career role, I have taken such difficulty in my stride and have taken a different route to grow my skill set. This route has also given me something very valuable - life experience. Working as a Political Campaign Manager gave me a great opportunity to broaden my knowledge and experience working in a political environment. It exposed me daily to the ‘on-the-ground impacts of political decision-making and how local residents are directly affected by them. It’s something familiar, something different, and a step in the right direction. Working as a Paralegal has given me a strong practical legal platform utilising my academic knowledge in a legal environment. It has helped garner a deeper understanding of the legal nuances that can impact a broad variety of transactions and the opportunity to use my pro-bono work to aid organisations supporting human rights. This has only further entrenched my passion for pursuing a career at the Bar. Stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing a different route has so far proved fruitful and worthwhile, as it has helped me grow personally and professionally. If you have any new challenges or new opportunities that you think I would be a great candidate for, please do not hesitate to contact me. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” –Robert Frost: The Road Not Taken
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