Leeds Beckett student is prize-winning finalist in prestigious legal award

Daniel Doig, second year LLB (Hons) Law student, was one of ten award-winning finalists for Future Legal Mind 2016, with the awards being presented on Wednesday 9 March at a ceremony at Lincoln’s Inn in London.

To enter, candidates were asked to answer the question: Is the commoditisation of legal services inevitable and is a commercial approach more likely to compromise or enhance the quality of advice and service to consumers?

Daniel commented: “I didn't anticipate ever getting to the final - it was a bit speculative. I think that being involved in this event is a leg up; a way to get recognised and to show you're committed and interested in the law. It was interesting writing the essay - I worked for a law firm for a year but I'd never really thought about the future of the legal industry."

Daniel is an aspiring solicitor from Knaresborough and was attracted to law after working for a year in a solicitors firm in Bradford, where he was impressed and inspired by the professionalism, dedication and intellectual challenge that practising law requires. Alongside his degree, Daniel is also a volunteer for the Citizens Advice Bureau in Wakefield.

Simon Trott, Managing Director of National Accident Helpline and chair of judges for Future Legal Mind, said: “On behalf of the judges I’d like to offer congratulations to all of the finalists in this year’s award. They came up with some really fresh thinking and gave us all great hope for the future of our legal system.

“In a profession which is constantly evolving, it’s more important than ever before that lawyers are able to strike the right balance between a commercial approach and the need to maintain high-quality service and access to justice.”