Syma Tayyab

Solicitor - Trainee Solicitor

SRA ID: 7017597

I am a trainee solicitor in the Family Law department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, I joined the team in November 2021. I work under the supervision of Director Julie McNamara and am based in the Birmingham office. I am a positive and conscientious person; I like challenges and getting things done. Having an aversion to motorway driving, I was one of two women in a convoy of 15 vehicles to drive an ambulance full of medical supplies from Birmingham to the Turkey/Syria border. I spent a year in Syria: travelling, doing voluntary work (mainly education and community) and studying Arabic at Damascus University. My experiences there with vulnerable families is one factor which persuaded me towards Family Law. I gained valuable experience working as a volunteer for The Citizens Advice Witness Service (Birmingham Magistrates Court). In addition to the administrative work, I regularly accompanied witnesses in court. Liaison with solicitors in relation to their clients was another important aspect of the work. I became a reliable point of call for prosecution and defence witnesses, solicitors and barristers. I have experience assisting clients in private children proceedings including the following: Child arrangements orders for contact and residence; Prohibited steps orders; and Specific issue orders including applications for external relocation and name changes. Also, I have experience assisting clients in obtaining and opposing applications for protective injunctions. I am fluent in speaking the Mirpuri dialect and Arabic. I can also communicate in Punjabi and Urdu.