Advocacy competition

The Times/Herbert Smith LLP 2009 student advocacy competition: "is the class ceiling breakable or there for good?"

Legal careers have historically been the preserve of the privileged classes. Is there a good reason for this? Can it be changed? These were the issues at the core of this year’s competition.

The debate coincided with the work of The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions, led by Alan Milburn, the former Health Secretary, which investigated how leading professional bodies such as the Law Society of England and Wales, and the Bar Council, can improve access to professional careers.

We have just concluded the competition, with the final having taken place at Herbert Smith's offices in Exchange House, London.

We will update you regarding our 2010 competition via this webpage.