National Accident Helpline announces Future Legal Minds finalists 2022

updated on 27 May 2022

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Injury law experts National Accident Helpline has revealed 2022’s Future Legal Minds finalists. The competition, which is in its eighth consecutive year, is one of the leading law essay competitions in the UK.

Students were asked to submit their thoughts on the following two topics:

  • “Now that the UK has officially left the EU, what legal changes would you recommend making over the next 10 years?”; and
  • “Is the UK court system fit for purpose and what role should other, alternative forms of dispute resolution play?”.

The finalists were then required to send a recording explaining why they deserve to be named 2022’s Future Legal Mind. As well as the Future Legal Mind crown, the winner will receive £1,500 towards their studies, plus the chance to take part in and complete a work experience placement at National Accident Helpline’s law firm, National Accident Law.

This year, the finalists were divided into two categories – undergraduates and postgraduates.

The undergraduate finalists are:

  • Farid Ahmed, studying BA Hons Law and Politics at the University of Stirling;
  • Simon Cooper, a second-year student at Bournemouth University;
  • Syed Adil, studying a dual degree in Scottish and English Law with European Legal Studies at the University of Aberdeen;
  • Sarah Daniel, a first-year student at the University of London; and
  • Tamar Knight, studying an undergraduate LLB Law degree course at Cardiff University.

The postgraduate finalists are:

  • Federica Boscolo Gnola, studying a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) postgraduate course at The University of Law;
  • Jason Nicholson, a postgraduate Legal Practice Course at The University of Law;
  • Kieran Power, completing a GDL at The University of Law’s London Bloomsbury campus;
  • Matthew Johnson, a GDL postgraduate student at Oxford Brookes; and
  • Sebastian Dack-Owens, a Bar Training Course student at BBP University Law School.

Jonathan White, legal and compliance director at National Accident Helpline said: “We believe it's crucial for the legal sector to evolve in a way that inspires the next generation to build their careers in law.

“Our Future Legal Minds competition allows us to find upcoming legal stars and we’re delighted to reveal the top 10 finalists – we look forward to announcing the winners soon.”

Finalists Sebastian explained that “winning the Future Legal Mind award would be a great honour and would without a doubt help to support my future career in law. Especially seeing the exceptional standard previous winners have set academically and professionally.”

The Future Legal Mind winner will be announced on Monday 27 June.