Herbies and Times run annual advocacy competition
updated on 12 July 2013
Herbert Smith Freehills and The Times are running their annual student advocacy competition, with submissions due by 22 July 2013. The final will be held on 30 September, with shortlisted candidates notified by 16 August.
The topic is "Confrontation or compromise: how far should global business export equality?" There is a prize fund of £7,000 and finalists will put their case to a panel of judges, including Lady Justice Rafferty, Ben Summerskill OBE (chief executive of Stonewall) and Ian Gatt QC (partner at Herbert Smith Freehills).
Gatt describes why the competition subject matter goes to the heart of the moral responsibility of international businesses: "It is well understood that both the social norms and indeed the law in certain parts of the world are at odds with those in the West. Equality of opportunity for men and women and the fostering of diversity in terms of race, religion and sexual orientation are central to the way we seek to operate in the West. If we really believe in these values should we not also promote them wherever we are around the world?"
The competition is open to any student who is currently at a UK academic institution or who will be studying at one in 2013-14. Entries should comprise a skeleton argument (maximum 400 words) and a video presentation (maximum 90 seconds). Details of how to submit are here.
