The search is on to find 2021’s most inspired legal talent

The search to find this year’s Future Legal Mind has gained momentum as the deadline for aspiring lawyers across the UK to put themselves forward for the award draws closer.

Open to undergraduate and postgraduate law students, as well as legal trainees (including apprentices) in the first two years of their legal career, the Future Legal Mind Award is a leading law essay-writing competition aimed to boost the careers of the UK’s most promising legal prospects.  Aspiring lawyers have until 26 February to put themselves forward for the award.

The competition is run by National Accident Helpline and is now in its 7th year, with several of the previous winners and finalists becoming barristers and solicitors.

Joseph Kelen, who is currently studying the Bar Vocational Studies course at The City Law School in London, won 2020’s Future Legal Mind Award. Speaking about the competition, he said: “Entering Future Legal Mind is great advocacy experience and great fun.

“It presents exactly the sort of challenge – advocating for a change in the law and for yourself, in a short amount of time and in plain, simple terms – that I definitely hadn’t had many opportunities to do before.”

The competition requires entrants to write an essay outlining their legal passions and an area of the law that they would like to see reformed. The essays will be reviewed by judges and a shortlist of 10 people will then be asked to create a smartphone video explaining why they should receive the award. Taking into account the essay and video, judges will then select a winner who will receive a prize package including £2,000 and a mentoring session with one of National Accident Helpline’s experienced in-house lawyers.

Legal director of National Accident Helpline, Jonathan White said: “Running this competition shows us, year after year, that there are so many talented people across the UK pursuing careers in law, which is great news for the sector.

“Each year, we look forward to finding and championing that standout individual who shows us they’ve got what it takes to go far in the legal world.

“We’re always pleased and proud to see our past winners and finalists going on to make their mark in different areas of the law and we look forward to finding this year’s most talented and promising lawyer-to-be.”

To find out more about the competition and how to enter visit the National Accident Helpline website.