Alex Hawley, 29, On Mission To Become First Judge With CP

Inspirational Alex Hawley is on a one-man mission to become the world’s first judge with cerebral palsy.

The 29-year-old, who has to have round-the-clock care from three carers, uses an electric wheelchair and cannot write.

But, determined to make his name in law, Alex is in the fifth year of a six-year part-time degree – and will be looking for jobs as a solicitor or barrister to make his dreams come true. Now, he has been selected for the Open University’s national Life-changing Learning campaign.

“I would like to become a lawyer. I want to be an inspiration to other people in my position,” said the Ravenshead man, who already volunteers at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

Alex, who has to painstakingly dictate every word of his studies to a scribe and cannot read due to having dyslexia, said: “With all my issues, just getting a job and keeping it will be difficult. But once I manage that, hopefully, I will become a QC and a judge. With more and more disabled people out there, my total ambition is to become the first disabled judge.”

Alex went to school at Colonel Frank Seely, in Calverton, and was one of only 40 students out of 200 to gain five Cs and above at GCSEs.

After doing A-levels at a special school in Coventry, he studied for a criminology degree in Lincoln but realised law was his true love.

Five years of study on, the degree is going well – and Alex even has experience of working in victim support and shadowing judges.

He said: “It’s been going OK – the last result I got was 81 per cent. It’s a challenge, it really is, but every year has been really good and results have been quite consistent.

“It’s amazing to think I would come out with a degree. I can’t imagine there will be many people with two degrees when they are looking for a job but I will be one of them. I definitely am proud.”

Alex added: “I want people to stop worrying about their problems. If the support is there, use it. I don’t see myself as disabled. You can do anything. I think I have shown you can achieve a lot.”

Despite showing huge effort and dedication, Alex says he has the Open University to thank – at least in part – for offering him a flexible way to work and experience on the job.

He said: “The OU’s flexibility has provided me with the opportunity to do other things while studying in order to gain even more hands-on experience within the legal system.

“It can be a hard job emotionally but I am glad to be able to make a difference while also gaining practical experience in these areas.

“If I have what it takes, anybody can do it.”

Peter Fox has been Alex’s carer for five years. He said: “I think he is an inspiration. It’s a case of ‘never let anything get in your way’. Too many people give up to early and they could push it more.”

An Open University spokeswoman said: “Alex is 29 years old and suffers from cerebral palsy but he isn’t letting that stop him from reaching his dreams to become a barrister, with the ultimate ambition to become the world’s first judge with cerebral palsy, inspiring others with similar challenges that it can be done.”