HERBERT SMITH / THE TIMES: Advocacy Competition 2008

Are you good at getting your point across? The Times has joined with international law firm Herbert Smith LLP to launch an advocacy competition for students.

Confining their submissions to a maximum of 400 words applicants are invited to demonstrate their advocacy skills on the following theme: “Diversity in the legal profession - cause for concern or trendy bandwagon?”

Applicants are also encouraged to submit a video overview of no more than 90 seconds, outlining the main argument contained in their written submission and giving the judges a flavour of their advocacy skills. Videos should be uploaded to a free video-hosting site and included as a link in the written submission. This competition is open to all students in full or part time education who are registered with UK universities or colleges, regardless of the subject you’re studying.

Six applicants will be short listed and asked to make a 10-minute presentation before a judging panel of well-known figures in the fields of law and diversity on the afternoon of 16 September at Herbert Smith’s London offices. They will be given an opportunity before the final to attend an advocacy training session led by one of the firm’s experienced advocacy trainers. Cash prizes for the six finalists range from £3,000 to £500 and each will be offered an interview for a place on Herbert Smith’s prestigious vacation scheme.

The deadline for applications is midnight on 27 June 2008. Applicants should send their submissions either by email to advocacy.competition@herbertsmith.com or by mail to the following address:

Herbert Smith advocacy competition
c/o Carolyn Lee
Herbert Smith LLP
Exchange House
Primrose Street
London
EC2A 2HS

Judging panel:
The high profile panel of judges includes Shami Chakrabarti (Director of Liberty), Nigel Savage (Chief Executive of the College of Law), Ben Summerskill (Chief Executive of Stonewall) and Ian Gatt QC.

Submission guidelines:

• submissions should be no longer than 400 words
• in their submissions entrants should develop an outline argument and the key issues pertaining to this argument
• the judges will be looking in particular for originality of thought, clarity of expression and logicality of presentation
• supplementary video submissions are encouraged
• the deadline is 27 June 2008
• if you choose to supply a video, please provide details of the link as part of your application.