London Metropolitan University student nominated for national legal award

Rebecca Harrigan, a Legal Practice Course student at the University, has been named as a finalist in one of the country’s top legal competitions.

Date: 6 April 2018

Rebecca Harrigan, a Legal Practice Course student at London Metropolitan University, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious Future Legal Mind Award.

The 30-year-old, originally from Llanelli in South Wales, is no stranger to the legal profession, having worked as a support worker for a charity supporting the victims of trafficking. She currently works in an immigration department whilst studying in the evenings.

“I’m genuinely surprised as the essay topic was out of my comfort zone and a real challenge to write. Now that I realise I have a fighting chance, I just want to win,” said Rebecca.

“I’m establishing my legal career and if I won, it would really boost my confidence and open doors for me in respect of future career options.”

Rebecca’s entry has been shortlisted by a panel of industry experts alongside seven other students from Durham University, the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester, the University of Surrey and the University of Edinburgh. The winner of the competition will receive a £5,000 prize and a coveted work experience placement at a top law firm.

National Accident Helpline’s Managing Director, Simon Trott, who chaired the panel of judges, said: “The Future Legal Mind award is designed to find the best up and coming legal talent in the country, and our shortlist this year certainly proves that. All entrants, including Rebecca, have set the bar really high in terms of the standard of submissions that we received.

“With that in mind, all of the shortlisted students should feel immensely proud of this achievement, and I wish them the best moving forward in the competition.”

All entrants were asked to address the following question in an essay: The personal injury legal sector is frequently attacked by government, insurers and media as ambulance-chasing lawyers seeking to promote a compensation culture. What can organisations in the personal injury legal sector do differently in order to dispel the misconceptions and bring integrity back to claiming compensation?

The winner will be announced on Monday 23 April on the Future Legal Mind website.

Rebecca Harrigan