Before the Hearing

Adaeze stood outside Courtroom Three, holding her files too tightly. In twenty minutes, she would defend her first client.

She had studied law for six years. She knew the rules. But standing here, in the cold hallway of the Manchester courthouse, she felt like she knew nothing at all.

Her client was a young man accused of stealing from a shop. Adaeze believed he was innocent, but believing was not enough. In court, only the evidence matters.

A familiar voice spoke behind her. It was Mrs. Okafor, a senior lawyer who had worked at the firm for thirty years.

“You look terrified,” she said kindly.

“I am,” Adaeze admitted. “What if I forget everything? What if I lose?”

“You must remember one thing,” Mrs. Okafor said. “Your job is not to win. Your job is to show the evidence clearly and let the judge decide. If you do that well, you have done your job.”

“And if the judge still decides against us?”

“Then you appeal, or you accept it. But you are responsible for the work, not the result. Focus on what you can control.”

Adaeze took a slow breath. The fear did not disappear, but it became smaller.

“If I speak clearly and show every piece of evidence,” she said, “then I will have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Exactly,” Mrs. Okafor said. “Now go. They are waiting for you.”

Adaeze pushed open the heavy door and walked in.