SAROJ BAHIA

Saroj Bahia qualified as a solicitor in 1990. Her esteemed legal career and position as panel member for Mental Health Appeal Tribunals lead her to practice in the fields of Mental Health and Family Law. After ten years of experience in these divisions and recognising the importance of security for the vulnerable persons she had represented, Saroj extended her field to specialise in Wills and Probate. Due to the terminal illness of her husband, she undertook a short career break and spent two years assisting in the palliative care of patients of all ages at the local hospital. During this period, she attended workshops focussed on effective communication with and responding to the needs of people who are worried, anxious or distressed.
She is now working as a non-practising solicitor continuing her specialist area of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Why does she feel that this area of work is so important in everyone’s lives?

‘This is an area of law that has always been of interest to me.  When I was in my twenties, my mother lost mental capacity due to a major heart operation and I remember the pain and anguish this caused for my whole family. More recently the decline in health of my husband was a major eye-opener and awakening for me and my children. I feel  that everyone should prepare for a time in their lives when they cannot or are unable to be in control of their affairs.

We all have had some contact with people suffering from an illness that may make it difficult or impossible to make their own decisions and too often it is too late to have the security you want in place.

Whilst a Will ensures that our affairs after death are dealt with according to our own choice and wishes, I feel it is equally - if not more imperative to have that same security and peace of mind during the span of our lifetime. Anyone, whatever age may be affected by the inability to conduct their own affairs; this may be as a result of declining mental health, an incapacity of the mind or due to brain or physical injury. As a nation we are also certainly living longer thanks to the on-going introduction of improved medication and treatments, however this does not always guarantee a quality of life, and whilst going about our daily routines we rarely stop and think how such circumstances could affect us, should we lose the ability to manage our own lives. 

 I cannot stress the importance of having the peace of mind during our life time and more importantly in the latter and more vulnerable stages of life.’

Education

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
-Solicitors’ Finals, 1989

-IBSL Entry Level Certificate in Sign Language Level 3

Prior Activities, Experience & Affiliations

• Family Law

• Mental Health Lawyer

• Accredited member of Mental Health Appeals

• Member of Personal Injury Lawyers

• Certified in Will drafting

• Immigration law and appeal tribunals