Dear Members and Colleagues,
Birmingham Law Society Annual Trainee Solicitor & Law Student Awards 2026
Birmingham Law Society is pleased to invite applications for its 2026 Annual Awards for Trainee Solicitors and Law Students, recognising outstanding academic achievement amongst those beginning their careers in the legal profession.
The awards will be presented at the Society’s Annual General Meeting at 5.00pm on Thursday 24 September 2026.
We are inviting applications for the following awards:
Trainee Solicitor Academic Awards
For eligible trainee solicitors who commenced their training contracts during 2025 and have achieved outstanding results in the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1 and SQE 2):
- Gold Award – £100 Amazon vouchers
- Silver Award – £75 Amazon vouchers
The awards will recognise the applicants attaining the highest and second-highest overall results from the eligible applications received.
The David Hershman QC Memorial Award
Sponsored by St Philips Chambers, this award comprises £100 in Amazon vouchers and recognises the eligible applicant achieving the most outstanding result in the Family Law elective module of the Legal Practice Course during 2025.
The Herbert Willison Award
For non-law graduates who completed a Law Conversion Course during 2025, this award comprises £100 in Amazon vouchers and recognises the eligible applicant achieving the most outstanding result in the Criminal Law module.
Full eligibility requirements and conditions apply to each award and are set out in the accompanying awards information here.
How to apply
Applicants should provide the information and supporting evidence specified in the award conditions, together with their full name (including any middle names), address and contact telephone number.
Applications must be received in writing no later than 9.00am on Monday 14 September 2026.
Applications should be submitted by email to office@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk or sent to:
Birmingham Law Society
6 Bennetts Hill
Birmingham
B2 5ST
I would be grateful if law firms, universities, law schools, training providers and members of the Society would circulate this invitation amongst trainees, students, graduates, supervisors and colleagues who may be eligible to apply.
These awards provide an opportunity for Birmingham Law Society to recognise and celebrate exceptional academic achievement amongst those entering the profession across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, and we very much look forward to receiving this year’s applications.
Yours sincerely,
Guy Barnett
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham Law Society