11 August 2020
Simcocks Advocates ran its annual Partnership with Schools initiative for the fourth time this year, featuring an essay competition for sixth form students interested in a career in law. Young advocates at the company visited high schools on the Island during February to launch the competition.
Students from QEII, Ramsey Grammar, Castle Rushen, St Ninian’s and King William’s College entered the writing competition, responding to one of the following questions:
- The IOM prison places significant emphasis on rehabilitation of offenders. Should prisons be for punishment or for rehabilitation? Why?
- Should a divorce application be based on blame?
The essays have been read and marked and we are pleased to announce that the winner is Finlo Smith from Ramsey Grammar School, who wrote a very sophisticated essay on the prison system. Finlo has been presented with his £500 voucher prize, and has been offered a work experience placement at the company when appropriate.
One of the advocates who presented at the schools and marked the essays is Emily Johnson, who won a writing competition herself last year, being awarded the George Johnson Law Prize. Emily spoke about her involvement in the Partnership with Schools initiative:
“I really enjoyed reading the students’ essays, which all displayed a great deal of consideration and research. Congratulations to Finlo on his excellent essay, and we look forward to working with you some time in the future.”
Chief Executive Phil Games commented:
“We were delighted to receive a good response to the initiative this year, despite the current crisis. The standard of writing and ideas generated gives me great hope about the future generation of Manx advocates.”