Renfrew: Law student Amanjit Uppal is one to watch at 22

At the age of 22, the Renfrew law student has already accomplished an extraordinary amount through her dedication to volunteer work and advocacy for progressive causes.

Amanjit is currently studying for a Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow and works part-time as a paralegal at Aamer Anwar & Company.

Last year, she was featured on the prestigious ‘30 Under 30’ list compiled by YWCA (Young Women’s Movement) Scotland.

It celebrates the achievements of 30 young women, all aged 30 or under, across the country who have been an inspiration to others.

Amanjit told The Gazette: “That was something I really didn’t expect, it came out of nowhere. It was really nice to be featured on a list among so many other incredible individuals.

Amanjit with her family (Image: Sourced)

“It was also great to be able to put my story out there and provide words of encouragement to younger people.”

Amanjit’s interest in pursuing a law career was first sparked during a work experience placement at law firm Complete Clarity Solicitors, where her older sister Prav worked.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, the former Trinity High pupil was encouraged to consider her positions on a number of hot-button topics affecting wider society.

Amanjit, who also attended St James’ Primary, recalls: “I had an English teacher called Mr Docherty who really encouraged a lot of conversations around more challenging issues.

“Even though we were schoolkids, he never really shied away from whenever there was a big immigration or racial story in the news.

“I think it did spark something in me to identify the areas where I would like to see change and then work towards that.”

Amanjit’s first foray into volunteer work began with her offering assistance to the Association for People with Disabilities, a charity based in India.

Amanjit volunteering in Bangalore, India (Image: Sourced)

As part of her role, she spent two weeks working with the organisation in and around schools in Bangalore.

While studying for her law degree at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Amanji offered her services as a case worker and media manager at the GCU Law Clinic, working on a pro bono basis.

As part of her work, she has also been involved with assisting the legal team involved with the high-profile Sheku Bayoh public inquiry.

Mr Bayoh, 31, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained on the ground by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015.

The inquiry is investigating the circumstances of his death and whether race was a factor.

Amanjit said: “Being on the Sheku Bayoh public enquiry team on behalf of the family felt rewarding because it is something I have really cared about for so long and there are a lot of the racial issues there.

“You do feel quite strongly about it when you’re a person of colour, so doing good work while fighting for something you care about always feels great.”

Amanjit at a YWCA away weekend as a trustee on the board (Image: Sourced)

As well as assisting people in need with their legal issues, Amanjit is also keen to help women within her own profession by supporting causes that promote diversity and inclusion.

She is a trustee with YWCA Scotland, a feminist organisation that works to promote gender equality and advance women’s human rights.

Amajit recently co-hosted Glasgow Caledonian University’s Law and the Common Good Lecture 2023 to discuss sexual harassment in the legal profession.

She has also recorded a podcast with theatre arts company Stellar Quines to discuss feminism and issues affecting women across Scotland.

Amanjit featured on a panel to discuss diversity in the legal profession for the Women in Law project, which aims to examine the history of women who worked in law.

The project was launched in 2019 to mark the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, which paved the way for women to become lawyers for the first time.

Amanjit said: “Now that it’s been 100 years since women first could study law and graduate as a solicitor, the whole idea of the project is to look at how much things have changed culturally within the profession for women.

Recording a podcast with Stellar Quines (Image: Sourced)

“It’s a great project and a really nice series to be involved with.”

Amanjit is also a committee member of the Scottish Young Lawyers Association and gives her time to charity Kindness, which helps to provide essentials for the homeless based in and around Glasgow.

On top of all this, she has had academic and newspaper articles published, such as a comment piece for The National that opposed the UK’s deportation plan to Rwanda and criticised the Home Office’s implementation of the policy.

Outside of her legal and volunteer work, Amanjit enjoys travelling across the world to learn about other cultures.

She is now preparing to start her new role as a trainee solicitor later this year.

Amanjit said: “It feels a little bit like going into the unknown but I trust it will be fine.

“I think the main objective for me is for my work to always be people-based. I think that as long as I hold on to that, it will grand.”