In the first round, we invite entrants to develop an outline argument of no more than 400 words that highlights (in bullet-point form if preferred) the key issues they wish to address.

The judges will look for originality of thought, clarity of expression and logicality of presentation. To supplement this outline argument, students are strongly encouraged to submit a video overview of their argument. This should last no more than 90 seconds — enough to give the judges a flavour of their advocacy skills.

Simply upload your video presentation to a free video-hosting site such as YouTube and include the link with your application. Don't know how to upload video? Ask a geek.

Based on these entries a shortlist of six candidates will be selected to make a ten-minute presentation at a half-day finalists event to be held on Tuesday, September 16, in the offices of Herbert Smith in London.

Those selected will also have the opportunity to hone their skills in advance, at an advocacy workshop, with one of the firm’s experienced advocacy trainers.

Among the judging team are Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, Nigel Savage, chief executive of The College of Law, and Ian Gatt, QC, of Herbert Smith. They will also have the task of questioning candidates on their submissions.

The prizes, to be awarded at a winners’ reception on the evening of the finalists event, are:

£3,000 for the winner;

£2,000 for the second-placed;

£1,000 for third;

three of £500 for each of the runners-up.

All those shortlisted will also be invited for interview for a vacation scheme placement at Herbert Smith.

The winning entries will be published online.

Entries, including a link to your video presentation, should be sent by e-mail to: advocacy.competition@herbertsmith.com or by post to: Herbert Smith advocacy competition, c/o Carolyn Lee, Herbert Smith LLP, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2HS.

Entries closed on Friday, June 27.

THE RULES

The competition is open to all students in any discipline registered with a UK educational institution except employees of Herbert Smith, Times Newspapers and News International and members of their families. The Times and Herbert Smith, the organisers, have the right to publish or reproduce at any time all or part of any submission entered for the awards. The submission must be the sole creation and original work of the entrant. The organisers reserve the right to delete or omit from any publicised submission anything that in their absolute discretion should not be published on editorial or legal grounds.

Only one entry per person will be allowed. All entries will be acknowledged but not returned. The organisers accept no responsibility for their safekeeping of submissions and entrants are advised to keep a copy. The judges’ decisions will be final.

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