We’re offering college students and aspiring lawyers the chance of winning a one-hour teams call with our Director of Corporates and Institutions, Hannah Clipston.

We’re asking entrants to answer the below question in no more than 2,000 words:

Discuss the essential skills lawyers need to create a more sustainable future.

Entries must be submitted by Friday 20 October 2023. You must reference any sources in a bibliography. The bibliography doesn’t form part of the word limit.

Before entering, please familiarise yourself with the full terms and conditions below.

Terms and Conditions

1. CONTEST: There is an opportunity for college students with aspiring legal minds to showcase their critical thinking skills. The idea is to write an essay discussing the role that lawyers play in helping to create a more sustainable future. This can be students showcasing their innovative ideas and insights by discussing the essential skills lawyers need to promote sustainability, as they navigate the legal landscape of our increasingly fast-changing world.

Showing your skills could involve exploring the different elements of sustainability considering social, economic, and environmental issues. Consider the skills lawyers of the future will need to (1) promote sustainable development, (2) mitigate climate change impacts, and (3) ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. Answers should demonstrate creativity, using well-reasoned arguments that are supported by evidence and relevant case studies. You may use images, graphs, and charts if you wish.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, we can’t wait to see your skills!

Essays should be titled: Sustainable Futures: Essential Skills for Lawyers with the question referred to as: Discuss the essential skills lawyers need to create a more sustainable future.

Each college will manage submissions received by students, but students can only submit one essay that will be considered for the competition purpose. If you have any questions, please contact daniel.wells@irwinmitchell.com

2. ELIGIBILITY: This Contest is open to any student at any college which is a member of the Association of Colleges. There is no limit to the number of entries that can be made on behalf of a college. In entering the Contest, you confirm that you are eligible to do so and eligible to claim the Prize. Irwin Mitchell LLP may require you to provide proof that you are eligible to enter the Contest.

3. SPONSOR: The Contest is sponsored by Irwin Mitchell LLP. Irwin Mitchell LLP is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. In sponsoring the Contest, Irwin Mitchell LLP reserves its rights to fully comply at all times with any legal and regulatory requirements.

4. AGREEMENT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Participation in the Contest constitutes the entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Contest Terms and Conditions and the entrant acknowledges that all decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding. Winning the Contest is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements.

5. ENTRY PERIOD: The Contest begins Monday 9 October 2023 and ends at 5pm Friday 20 October 2023 (the “Entry Period”). Entries that are submitted before or after the Entry Period will be disqualified and not be eligible for the Contest.

6. CREATE AND SUBMIT AN ENTRY: To participate in the Contest, you must submit your essay via email to daniel.wells@irwinmitchell.com to classify as a valid entry ("Entry"). Eligible Entries will be judged by Irwin Mitchell to determine the Prize winner.

7. COMPLIANCE AND DATA: By entering and participating in the Contest:

You agree to comply with the Contest Terms and Conditions;

You acknowledge and agree that your personal information will be collected and processed by Irwin Mitchell LLP and the Association of Colleges for the purposes of executing this Contest;

You acknowledge and agree to Irwin Mitchell LLP using your name, college name and other information as required for promotional purposes relating to Love Our Colleges Week only, once an entry is received, and if your entry is chosen as the winner; and

You agree for AoC to share your essay where they deem relevant. Such as but not limited to our social media channels, website and events;

You acknowledge that your personal information will not be shared with any third party without your consent.

8. ENTRANT’S WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS: By submitting an Entry, each entrant warrants and represents that the Entry:

is original to the entrant and makes the Entry on its own behalf;

does not infringe the intellectual property, privacy, publicity, confidentiality or any other rights of any third party;

does not violate any law or regulation; or

is not offensive, degrading, political or conflicts with public morality.

9. SELECTION OF WINNER: On Monday 23 October 2023 (Review Date), all Entries will be reviewed by an Irwin Mitchell lawyer (Judging Panel). The winner will be announced Friday 27 October 2023. If the Irwin Mitchell Judging Panel is unable to contact the winner during this period, the Prize will be withdrawn and given to a runner up of the Competition (see Section 11). No compensation will be available.

10. PRIZE: The winner of the Contest shall win a video call of up to one (1) hour with an Irwin Mitchell lawyer (the “Prize”). No substitution is available for the Prize.

11. CLAMING THE PRIZE: If you are the winner of the Prize, you will have 7 days from the date you are contacted to claim the Prize by replying to the notification email. If you do not claim the Prize by this date, your claim will become invalid.

12. CANCELLATION: If Irwin Mitchell LLP is required to cancel the Contest at any time for any reason (for example, legal, regulatory, financial or reputational reasons), then Irwin Mitchell will contact all entrants by email as soon as possible to notify them.

13. QUESTIONS: If you have any questions regarding this Contest, please email daniel.wells@irwinmitchell.com