In this episode of Law Talks Khatija Hafesji describes moving from studying history into legal practice, finding her passion via advocacy for children in care, using the Children Act 1989 and judicial review to challenge unlawful local authority decisions.
She explains why she pursued a mixed practice spanning public, competition, procurement, and information law and describes her role as Editor-in-Chief of the Human Rights Law Reports. In an International Women’s Day context, she discusses the Women and Diversity in Law Awards 2026, her pro bono work with the Centre for Women’s Justice on data protection issues, and reflects on what public law reveals about women’s lives. Finally, she explains her trustee role at the Public Law Project and how aspiring barristers can get involved and prepare for the Bar.
01:32 Discovering Law in Care Work
04:04 Building a Mixed Practice
06:07 Choosing Practice Balance
07:45 Editing Human Rights Reports
10:48 Women and Diversity Awards
14:17 Centre for Women’s Justice Panel
16:23 Law Reform for Mothers
18:59 Women’s Lives Through Public Law
24:52 Trustee at Public Law Project
29:12 Advice for Aspiring Barristers
Listen to the full episode “International Women’s Day with Khatija Hafesji” on Spotify.