Future Legal Mind 2017 offers students a major career boost and cash prizes

The third annual Future Legal Mind award launches this week, offering UK law undergraduates the chance to win a valuable work placement and cash prizes totalling over £7,000. The prestigious award, in association with industry publication Lawyer 2B, offers the country’s brightest legal minds a leg up into a much sought after profession.

Last year’s Future Legal Mind winner, Tom Phillips, said: “Participating in Future Legal Mind was a fantastic experience. The competition enabled me to connect with professionals in the legal industry and meet a group of talented law students.”

Entrants are required to submit an original essay on a specific subject relevant to today’s legal profession. This year’s Future Legal Mind essay question is:

“If eBay can resolve 60 million disputes each year why does the UK civil justice system need lawyers?”

Essays must be a maximum of 1,300 words, excluding footnotes and a 100-word summary and need to be submitted by 18 January 2017.

While the winning essay will earn the author the top prizes, a further nine shortlisted candidates will each receive a £250 runner-up prize, and be able to describe themselves as a ‘Future Legal Mind Finalist’.

What do previous winners and shortlisted candidates say?

• “I have no doubt that winning the competition has provided a significant boost to my CV and will ultimately help me to obtain pupillage,” says Tom Phillips. “I would encourage all law students to enter the 2017 Future Legal Mind Competition – it is a unique and valuable opportunity.”
• Future Legal Mind 2016 Finalist, Simone Farrer, added: “The status of finalist has featured prominently in job applications I have made to date and I’m certain it gave them an added boost to help me secure the positions I applied for.”
• Last year, a Highly Commended title was awarded to George Croft, who said of the experience: “Entering Future Legal Mind 2016 and winning the Highly Commended prize was an amazing and memorable experience.
• “It has given me the confidence to succeed in my future career, and also helped me to secure a training contract with a leading law firm this summer. I would highly recommend anyone considering a career in law to enter Future Legal Mind 2017.”

Simon Trott, Managing Director of National Accident Helpline and chair of judges, says: “Future Legal Mind is a great opportunity for law students to gain an invaluable boost to their chances of breaking into the legal profession.

At National Accident Helpline, we believe that it is crucial to have a steady pipeline of the best talent entering the legal system to ensure that people continue to have access to justice.

“It’s been heartening to see the positive impact the last two years’ awards have had on our winners, and we are excited to be offering this chance to a new group of students for Future Legal Mind 2017.”

Students can now enter their essay at: www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/future-legal-mind