Future Legal Mind is a national award for UK-resident students, set up by National Accident Helpline to recognise young legal talent.
The award, now an annual scheme following its successful launch in 2014, aims to identify the next generation of high fliers in the legal world, offering law students the opportunity to win £5,000 towards their studies and a work experience placement at leading law firm Simpson Millar (incorporating Colemans-ctts).
This year's finalists have now been announced. Visit our Future Legal Mind 2016 page to find out who they are and read about the awards event at Lincoln's Inn on Wednesday 9 March
Entry to the award is by submission of an essay, and is open to all permanent UK residents studying for an undergraduate law degree, CILEX qualification or law conversion course (GDL or CPE). You can register your interest in entering Future Legal Mind 2017 below. We'll let you know when entry opens in the autumn of 2016.
Our 2016 prizes are:
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1st prize: £5,000 and a two-week placement at Simpson Millar (incorporating Colemans-ctts)
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2nd prize: £2,000 and a two-week placement at Simpson Millar (incorporating Colemans-ctts)
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Runners-up prizes: £250 each
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. National Accident Helpline believes 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 last year's award had on our winners, and we are excited to be offering this chance to a new group of students in 2016 .”
Meet the judges
Jonathan White
NAH Legal Director Jonathan joined National Accident Helpline in 2010. He guided NAH through LASPO and is responsible for public affairs and legal compliance. He heads NAH’s audit and consultancy functions, working with law firms and commercial partners in managing service delivery and product development including after the event insurance. Jonathan participated in the government's Insurance Fraud Taskforce personal injury workstream in 2015. Prior to joining NAH, Jonathan spent 11 years as a claimant personal injury solicitor at Harvey Ingram LLP where he was a member of the Law Society Personal Panel and an APIL senior litigator.
Richard Simmons
Richard is editor of Lawyer 2B, the leading dedicated magazine and website for aspiring lawyers, solicitors and barristers. He has previously worked for the Chambers Student Guide and for a leading good university publication.
Janet Tilley
Janet Tilley is Director of Volume Services at Simpson Millar and one of Colemans-ctts’ founding partners. She has a wide range of expertise and experience within the personal injury claims market. She is a former member of the Civil Justice Council, former chair of The Motor Accidents Solicitors Society (MASS), Consultant to National Accident Helpline (NAH) and Alternate Director of Portal Company. Janet’s vision of the future and her legal expertise, experience and passion have resulted in the creation of the Legal Processing Centre (LPC) which delivers market leading efficiency and quality to consumers through the use of efficient processing.
Professor Gary Slapper
Professor Slapper is Global Professor of Law at New York University and director of NYU London, the university's UK campus. A leader in legal academia, Professor Slapper has also written over 20 books, including 15 editions of The English Legal System and Weird Cases, a collection taken from his regular column at The Times. His ongoing dedication to representing law in the world of arts and culture has also led him to become a major legal consultant for the BBC.