When it comes to qualifying as a solicitor, there are many different directions your legal career can take. In this article, we’re spotlighting financial litigation – an area that deals with high-value disputes, complex claims, and negotiations with major institutions.
We spoke with Zafar Afsar, Consultant Litigation Solicitor and SQE Supervisor at The College of Legal Practice, to find out what his day-to-day work looks like, what drew him into this niche area, and his advice for those starting out in law.
Hi Zafar! Can you tell us a little about your career to date?
“So I work in financial litigation and have done since 2011 - I followed the LPC route to qualification. Financial litigation essentially covers disagreements between two parties related to large pots of money, and I work in a real variety of different areas. At the moment a large amount of my work is around missold Payment Protection Insurance, car payment plans, and health related claims. I’m also a supervisor with the College, and support firms first setting up their own financial litigation departments.”
What does a typical day consist of for you?
“I usually get involved in a case at the litigation stage, where a claim is being sent off to defendants, or is ready for hearing with a barrister.
So at the moment, it’s a lot of dealing with medical agencies, such as a current case where defendants are making a claim against the Ministry of Defence for hearing loss. I might be involved in trying to settle a case out of court, or dealing directly with a barrister once it does reach court.
I’m also working a lot on PCP claims on cars right now, so I could be covering that in my day. A lot of these cases are growing where individual consumers have purchased vehicles, and lenders haven’t disclosed the commissions they made in finance that they gave to consumers. The main hurdle is the allocation stage - where it’s allocated to the small track, fast track, or multi track. I come in at the stage where we’re trying to persuade the court to go on to the fast track or multi track. We primarily go up against banks - and they’ll say the case is straightforward and easy and should go on the small track, but it’s my role here to try and convince the courts otherwise so it’s taken seriously for the defendant.
Then finally my day may also include my academic work! As a supervisor with the College, I work mainly in dispute resolution where I’ll act as a judge for students to present their advocacy cases to, supporting students with their learning progress. It’s really varied and interesting.”
What brought you into financial litigation?
“I wouldn’t have expected to go into financial litigation - as I really didn’t enjoy it when I was at university. I found it quite dry! I went for it as any graduate does - it’s the best job I could get out of training. But when I went into my first job, I was sent to trials a lot and realised I actually really enjoyed it. So much so that I’ve stayed in this area, covering a real variety of cases!”
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in their career?
"I’d say when you’re a trainee solicitor there’s no such thing as 9-5. It’s an intense career, and especially if you want to work in a competitive area of law, you do need to put your hours in. In those early years, if you want to stand out, you have to go the extra mile. I’d say stick it out, put the time in - and once you’re qualified and in your seat, it does get easier!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Considering other practice areas?
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