Southport Student Shortlisted for £5,000 National Legal Award

Southport Student Shortlisted for £5,000 National Legal Award

A student from Southport has been named as a finalist for Future Legal Mind, a legal award run annually by National Accident Helpline. 

Comfort Ochefu, who is studying Law at the University of Chester, is one of a handful of finalists for Future Legal Mind 2017, a national award for UK undergraduate law students, set up in 2014 to recognise young legal talent.

The 22-year-old student, who was born in Preston, is in line for a potential £5,000 prize and work placement at law firm Simpson Millar, after impressing industry judges with an essay on the UK’s civil justice system.

Candidates were asked to answer the question: “If eBay can resolve 60 million disputes each year, why does the UK civil justice system need lawyers?”

The winner’s essay will be posted on Lawyer2B.com, and all finalists will receive £250.

Comfort, who went to school and college in Southport, said: “When I found out that I had been shortlisted, I was quite shocked, as it was something I wasn’t expecting due to the high number of essays submitted. I am so grateful to the judges who selected my essay for the shortlist.”

Comfort is passionate about politics and the environment, and was previously an active member of the University’s Green Party. She believes that through her law career she can put her passion to good use, and is particularly interested in international and corporate law.

She added: “Future Legal Mind is a great initiative as it enables students to consider legal topics without the pressure that comes from University grades.

“I’m hopeful that my achievement will convince recruiters that I am a suitable candidate for a firm as I can provide solutions to pressing legal problems.”

Simon Trott, Managing Director of National Accident Helpline, and chair of judges for Future Legal Mind, said: “It’s hugely important that we foster the next generation of lawyers by encouraging talented individuals, and that’s what we aim to do with the Future Legal Mind award.

“The standard of entries this year has been exceptionally high, giving our legal judging panel lots to discuss.

“We’ve also received more entries than ever before, so shortlisted candidates should be extremely pleased with their achievement at getting this far.”

To find out the Future Legal Mind 2017 winner on March 29, and for details on how to enter the 2018 award, visit: national-accident-helpline.co.uk/future-legal-mind

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