Kingsley Ogunmiloyo: LLB Law

Kingsley Ogunmiloyo

LLB Law, 2005

"I now work for the law firm Nathaniel and Co in London."

A legal battle helped shape the beginning of a flourishing career for one University of Luton law student, who now works for a large firm of solicitors in London.

Kingsley Ogunmiloyo, who was in the final year of the LLB course at the University, had parked his car outside his house in Watford when a mini bus driver reversed into it causing considerable damage.

“I was understandably angry but the driver admitted fault and agreed to pay for the repair to my car, and the cost of a hire car while it was being repaired,” explained Kingsley, who is originally from Nigeria although he’s lived in Watford for many years.

“I went ahead and hired a car and the next thing I knew, the driver’s insurance company was offering £500 for this all to be settled without hearing the case.”

This posed a problem for Kingsley because, if he as the plaintiff refused to accept the £500, and the subsequent court award was less than, in this case, £500 then Kingsley would become liable for both sides' costs.

So in November 2003 Kingsley decided to take the driver to court.
“I had to pay more than £500 out of my own pocket in order to get the case to court which, as a student, wasn’t easy to do but I truly believed that I was in the right so I found the money and started proceedings.”

Thanks to his perseverance and belief in what he was doing, Kingsley presented his case and the judge ruled in his favour, despite the fact he was up against three barristers with a combined experience of fifteen years.

“I was awarded £3,000 for representing myself and over £6,000 damages and court fees. Challenging the small amount that was offered to me, and risking my own financial situation, I came out on top,” said Kingsley who, as soon as his case came to light was offered several jobs.

Kingsley, who now works for the law firm Nathaniel and Co in London, is also working in the humanitarian field overseas where he is in the process of establishing a Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Nigeria.

“This is a massive project and I am really excited by it. There isn’t anything like this at the moment and we are looking to provide free legal advice to people of all ages and all backgrounds.”

The project, which is funded by the European Union and the United Nations, is looking at three cities in Nigeria and Kingley is hoping to develop the project into other countries including Zimbabwe.

Kingsley added: “I am so glad I decided to study at the University of Luton. Luton was recommended to me by a friend of mine from the USA who had studied here on a one year placement. I had an amazing time and the town has a lot of activities going on and the people are fantastic. The lecturers also really helped me with my court case, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Interview took place in 2005.