Congratulations to all the winners, runners-up and finalists of this year's competition!
Undergraduate winner:
Syed Adil
Undergraduate runner-up:
Tamar Knight
Postgraduate winner:
Matthew Johnson
Postgraduate runner-up:
Kieran Power
Postgraduate runner-up:
Sebastian Dack-Owens
If you'd like to be the first to hear about Future Legal Mind 2023, please get in touch and let us know.
Future Legal Mind 2022 Undergraduate finalists
WINNER: Syed Adil
Syed M. Humaid Adil is currently studying a dual degree in Scots and English Law with European Legal Studies from the University of Aberdeen. He hopes to further specialise through pursuing a Masters, either focused in public or tax law. Ultimately, Syed's aspirations are to be called to the Scots and English Bar and develop a career as a cross-border Barrister, utilising a dual-qualifying degree to its full-extent.
Watch Syed's video:
On Syed Adil, Future Legal Mind judge, John Kushnick, said:
Syed presented in a calm and caring way, having prepared a thorough and excellently referenced essay. What made him stand out was his passion for law, as amply evidenced by his extensive extra-curricular activities. A very impressive candidate indeed.”
RUNNER-UP: Tamar Knight
Tamar is 22 years old and grew up in Cornwall, developing a keen interest in nature and the environment. Now at Cardiff University, she chose to study law as an effective tool in defending the voiceless and heavily exploited natural world. Tamar hopes to make significant contributions to international environmental law as both a solicitor and campaigner.
Watch Tamar's video:
FINALIST: Farid Ahmed
Farid was born in Egypt and moved to Cyprus aged one. In August 2018, Farid came to Scotland to pursue my Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Law and Politics at the University of Stirling. His passions include reading, writing, going to the gym and growing food. Farid's future career aspirations are centred around the preservation of wild nature and the environment.
Watch Farid's video:
FINALIST: Sarah Daniel
Sarah has had an interest in the law and how it works since she was young. She is currently a first year LLB student at the City University of London. She is a member of the Law Society; Pro Bono Society; Mooting Society; ACS Society and the Debates Society. Recently, she undertook volunteering work with the CLS Free Legal Advice Clinic. Passionate about advocacy, Sarah aspires to pursue a career at the Commercial Bar.
Watch Sarah's video:
FINALIST: Simon Cooper
Simon is currently in the second year of studies at Bournemouth University, having always been fascinated with the legal profession, especially employment law. His future aspiration is to become a fully-practicing solicitor, specialising in employment law and workplace disputes.
Future Legal Mind 2022 Postgraduate finalists
WINNER: Matthew Johnson
Matthew is currently a GDL student at Oxford Brookes University, having previously read History at the University of Exeter. Matthew has aspirations to become a barrister, with an interest in public and commercial law.
Watch Matthew's video:
On Matthew Johnson, Future Legal Mind judge, Jonathan White, commented:
Matthew's essay packed a punch and was very clear and concise. He made a passionate and compelling case and made excellent use of international comparators.”
RUNNER-UP: Kieran Power
Kieran is a postgraduate law student and aspiring barrister from Jersey. Kieran completed his undergraduate degree in American Studies (History) at the University of Kent and is currently completing the Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law's London Bloomsbury campus.
Watch Kieran's video:
RUNNER-UP: Sebastian Dack-Owens
Sebastian is currently undertaking the Bar Training Course, and over the last five years, has transitioned gradually into the legal profession. He has also worked and volunteered with legal advice charities including the Tower Hamlets law centre, JUSTICE, the Free Representation Unit, and Advocate. Sebastian is deeply passionate about social justice and giving a voice to those in society that find themselves marginalised and underrepresented.
Watch Sebastian's video:
FINALIST: Federica Boscolo Gnola
Federica decided to study law following personal lived experience, being particularly passionate about Mental Health. Federica believe there is still a lot of work to do around the Mental Health Act. Currently volunteers for Diversity Radio, which was born from the desire to embrace change and promote diversity in mental health settings.
Watch Federica's video:
FINALIST: Jason Nicholson
Jason is from Nottingham and is currently a postgraduate Legal Practice Course student at the University of Law. Upon completion, Jason aims to go into either Sports law or Personal Injury law. Alongside studies, Jason is currently a Company Legal Secretary for a luxury student accommodation where there is the chance to use legislation daily.
Watch Jason's video:
The Essay
To enter Future Legal Mind 2022, students were invited to submit essay responses to the following questions:
Undergraduates:
Now that the UK has officially left the EU, what legal changes would you recommend making over the next ten years?
Postgraduates:
Is the UK court system fit for purpose and what role should other, alternative forms of dispute resolution play?
The Prize
The winners in both categories will:
- Be announced as our Future Legal Mind 2022 and feature in publicity
- Take part in a mentoring session with one of our experienced in-house lawyers
- Receive a £1,500 prize fund
- A legal work placement opportunity
See the full terms and conditions.
Last year's competition
Last year's competition
Our Future Legal Mind 2021 winner was BPP University law student Elena Michael.
Elena, who is studying to become a barrister, impressed our judges with her ideas about regulating the commercial porn industry. After qualifying, Elena hopes to undertake an LLM and pursue a PhD in digital sexual crimes before applying for pupillage.
See her winner's video:
Future Legal Mind Award alumni: our past winners
2021: City Law School graduate Elena Michael
2020: University of Cambridge graduate Joseph Kelen, now studying an LLM at Harvard Law School
2019: University of Buckingham student Charley-Anne Gordon
2018: University of Surrey student Gbemisola Obolo
2017: University of Law student Hana Kapadia, who is now a trainee solicitor
2016: City Law School student Tom Phillips, who is now a pupil barrister
2015: Undergraduate winner - University of York student Amy Loughery
2015: Postgraduate winner - City University student Lukas Hamilton Eddy, who is now a barrister
Interviews with past winners and finalists
If you're thinking about entering next year's Future Legal Mind, check out some great advice from our past winners and finalists.
In the interviews below, they share their experiences of the competition and give useful hints and tips for applicants.