Each year, the Future Legal Mind competition aims to find the best upcoming legal stars in the UK. This year, two of the finalists are students from Wales universities.
Tamar Knight and Mari Watkins are both hoping to snag first place in the competition.
The Future Legal Mind competition
The Future Legal Mind competition is held annually to seek out the legal stars of tomorrow. It is the top legal essay competition within the UK, launched by the National Accident Helpline. A panel of judges look at the essays and videos of shortlisted candidates before choosing an overall winner.
The winner will receive a mentoring session with in-house lawyers, alongside a £2000 cash prize. It is open to all current law students, alongside apprentices and legal trainees.
Showcasing legal talent in Wales
Last year, the winner of the competition was Buckingham student Charley-Anne Gordon. This year, two of the shortlisted candidates, Tamar Knight and Mari Watkins, reside in Wales. Both are hoping to secure first place and bring their chosen subjects into the limelight.
Tamar Knight is a 20-year old, first time law student at Cardiff University. Originally from Cornwall, she has a particular interest in environmental law. Speaking of her finalist nomination, she states:
“I am so honoured to be a finalist for such a prestigious competition, especially considering that environmental law is one of the most neglected areas of law and desperately needs the most attention.”
She argued within her essay that a radical change was required in environmental policies, including more focus on renewable energy and reducing emissions.
Mari Watkins, a 19-year-old student from Neath, also made it onto the shortlist. In her second year of a law degree at Swansea University, she too focused on nature in her essay. Specifically, she focused on land law and talking of her nomination she states:
“I’m ecstatic to be a finalist. I am glad that my essay has been chosen and pleased that more people will become aware of the issues regarding access to land.”
The winner will be announced in May and videos from all of the contestants can be viewed on the website. Speaking of her win, last year’s winner Charley-Anne states:
“I’d encourage anyone who is passionate about pursuing a legal career to enter Future Legal Mind 2020. Writing the competition essay gave me the chance to express my passion for law and the areas which interest me most, and to show my skills and knowledge”
The Future Legal Mind competition is now in its sixth year. Previous winners have since gone on to become barristers and solicitors. We wish both Tamar and Mari the best of luck in this year’s competition.
