Pre-Competition
How do I know if I’m eligible to enter the Competition?
You must:
- Be an Aspiring Solicitors member; and
- Identify with one of the following underrepresented groups in the legal profession: (i) Black, Asian or minority ethnic; (ii) socially mobile (primary carer, from a low-income family, state school educated, first generation to attend university, refugee or received local authority care); (iii) LGBTQ+; (iv) have a disability, be neurodiverse or have a long-term health condition; and
- Be an undergraduate, postgraduate or graduate (whether working or in education); and
- Not have secured a training contract offer.
I’ve graduated, can I still enter?
Yes! Undergraduates, postgraduates and graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.
I’m in my first year, can I still enter?
Yes! A number of first year students have reached previous Finals of the Competition.
I have limited commercial awareness, should I still enter?
Yes!! The Competition is a great way to implement an effective commercial awareness routine, gauge your current level of commercial awareness, build confidence as well as identify gaps in your knowledge to guide the development of your commercial awareness. Whether they’ve reached Round 2 or the Final, every AS Member has taken something valuable from participating in the last 7 years.
I’m on a year abroad, can I still participate in the Competition?
Yes, as long as you are seeking a training contract at a UK law firm and able to attend the latter rounds of the Competition (November and early December) which are in person. A maximum of £75 travel expenses per person is available per round.
When does registration close?
3rd October 2022
When does the Competition start?
Round 1, which is completed online, is in October 2022. You will be given LexisNexis pre-reading that will form part of the Round 1 assessment (5 questions out of 30) in advance of this date.
How do I prepare for the Aspiring Solicitors Commercial Awareness Competition?
Develop an interest in business!
Read business news publications on a daily basis in whichever medium you prefer e.g. hardcopy newspaper, online articles, email updates, podcasts.
Discuss commercial and business news with friends/colleagues and practice developing and delivering opinions on an issue to ensure you understand the material that you have read or listened to.
Aspiring Solicitors recommends that you dedicate at least 20 minutes per day to reviewing business news and analysing its impact on law firms and their clients.
Will I have to enter as part of a team or can I compete individually?
All entrants register as individuals and you will not be required to form a team at any stage. Aspiring Solicitors will place entrants in teams at the Semi-Finals and Grand Final but you will be assessed as an individual throughout, including for your ability to work in a team.
I took part last year, can I enter again?
Yes! A number of former winners competed in the Competition several times before their victory. We actively encourage previous competitors to re-enter the Competition and continue to develop their commercial awareness.
COVID-19
How will Covid-19 impact this year’s Competition?
For the first time since January 2020, the Semi-Final and Grand Final will be in person. If you have any concerns about competing in-person e.g. due to being at risk due to medical reasons, Aspiring Solicitors will be able to assist you with this after the Quarter-Finals.
If I win, will I be able to complete a vacation scheme with the sponsor firms?
Every sponsor organisation provides work experience, with the majority providing a vacation scheme to winners and often runners up (firms approach participants on an individual basis). Whether a sponsor firm offers a vacation scheme is dependent on their recruitment policy.
During the Competition
Can I use different email addresses during the course of the Competition e.g. when completing online rounds?
No. When you register and supply a contact email address, you must use the same email address throughout the Competition e.g. when completing the online rounds and booking a Quarter-Final assessment slot. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
How will I be contacted by Aspiring Solicitors?
All emails will be sent from an @aspiringsolicitors.co.uk email account. If you have registered but have not received an email from Aspiring Solicitors, please ensure that you check your spam and junk folders in your inbox.
The most common reason not to receive an email from Aspiring Solicitors is due to submitting an incorrectly spelled email address (which has historically happened very regularly owing to oversight by entrants). Please enter your email address with care every time you are asked to do so.
I’m not available for one of the rounds, are alternative dates available?
The date and time of each round cannot be revised or rescheduled. If there is a significant issue preventing your participation, please email [email protected] stating your name and reason for non-participation at least 48 hours in advance of the relevant round of the Competition.
What do I need to complete the online rounds?
A PC/tablet/mobile phone with a reliable internet connection is all you need.
We recommend a download speed minimum of 5 Mbps.
Can I use revision notes for the online rounds?
No resources that may give you an unfair advantage, such as internet resources e.g. search engines, newspapers, journals or notes, are permitted during the Competition.
Use, or suspicion of use of these, or similar resources, will result in automatic disqualification.
What happens if my internet goes down when I’m completing online rounds?
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in a suitable location with an appropriate internet connection to complete the online assessment.
Should you lose connection/miss the assessment time, we will not be able to reschedule your assessment and therefore you will not progress to the next round.
Please note that online Rounds 1 and 2 can be completed via mobile which can be more reliable (4G or 5G signal).
When will I be informed if I am successful at each round of the Competition?
You will be contacted by email in the week following the relevant round.
I am given additional time for exams, will this apply to the online rounds?
Yes. As part of the registration process, you will have the opportunity to request additional time and submit supporting medical evidence.
Please ensure you complete this section of the form carefully.
What happens if halfway through the Competition I get a training contract?
If you secure a Training Contract during the Competition, you must immediately inform Aspiring Solicitors so that the organisation can (i) congratulate you and (ii) remove you from the Competition as the initiative is only open to Aspiring Solicitors members who do not have a Training Contract.
Do any of the winners actually get training contacts with the sponsor firms?
Yes, a number of winners have converted their vacation schemes into training contracts: an average of 85% of finalists secure a training contract.
If the above information does not address your query, please contact [email protected].
