Calling all final year trainees and final year solicitor apprentices – the City of London Solicitors’ Company essay competition and Award is now open for submissions.
Since 1929 we have awarded an annual Prize (currently £1,000) to a final year trainee at a City firm. The aim is to give the Award to an individual who shows the most promise as a future City solicitor.
Applicants are invited to submit a short essay entitled:
“How can the Rule of Law sustain the stability and attractiveness of the City in an increasingly complex global landscape?”
After we have reviewed the essays a shortlist of finalists will be selected for interview to decide the overall winner. The Chair of the Solicitors’ Company Rule of Law Committee will conduct the interviews with a representative from the City of London Law Society’s Training Committee.
Entries must be received by 15th May 2026.
Notes:
To be eligible, candidates must:
- have passed the LPC or SQE 1; and
- be in the last year of either their training contract or their solicitor apprenticeship or have completed
at least one year of qualifying work experience―in each case, with a firm of solicitors practising in the City and its neighbouring areas.
Candidates will need to submit:
- an essay of no more than 500 words
- a letter of support from their training principal (or equivalent) within their firm.
Please combine the essay and letter into one PDF file for submission.
Interviews will take place on 23rd June 2026. The Prize will be presented at a Solicitors’ Company “Celebration of Impact” event in Autumn 2026.
Please send any queries and your application to:
Liz.Thomas@clls.org before the closing date of 15th May 2026.