Editor's weekly: Three cheers for January

The topic for submissions, which can take the form of an essay, short-video or even an animation, is “The modern Bar: diverse and open to all. Discuss.”

So far so good, a nice opportunity to show some creativity with some very helpful wonga at the end of it. £15,000 plus for a 1,000 word essay may not be JK Rowling standards but it is damn good.

Although look deeper and things aren’t so rosy.

In the Guidance notes on how to apply for an award wannabe barristers are given some helpful thoughts to guide them, they include “In the last decade, the number of pupillage vacancies has declined by around 35%. Competition is fierce, thus enabling Chambers to cherry-pick the very best students. The cost of an undergraduate education is set to soar in 2012. Will this further disadvantage those from less affluent, less traditional backgrounds?”

Cheery thoughts no doubt for the amateur directors, I am thinking Ingmar Bergman reimagines Raymond Biggs’ When the Wind Blows. A supply of St John’s Wort or perhaps something stronger may be needed at the College of Law when submissions come in.

christian.metcalfe@thelawyer.com

PS I have just joined Lawyer2B as the new editor, I have an almost legal background having been a law reporter for All England Law Reports and a legal correspondent for Estates Gazette. Hopefully we will meet soon.