Edinburgh Law School students reach semi-finals at international client consultation competition

Two Edinburgh Law School students have represented Scotland on the international stage, reaching the semi-finals of the Brown Mosten International Client Consultation Competition.

Ellie Jones and Anna Lisowska, students on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP), travelled to the University of Zagreb, Croatia, where the competition was hosted by the Faculty of Law between 15–18 April. Competing against 18 teams from around the world, after progressing from the initial heats to the semi-finals, the pair narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

The topic of this year's competition was 'Use of Land'. Teams took part in a simulated client consultation, meeting with an actor playing a client with a legal problem. Students were assessed on their ability to build rapport, draw out a complete and accurate picture of the client's situation, and provide clear legal and practical advice — helping the client understand their options and make an informed decision about next steps.

Neil Anderson, team coach and Head of Academic Management, DPLP said: “We commend Anna and Ellie for their commitment and professionalism throughout this process. Skill’s competitions are a great opportunity for law students to learn and practice interviewing and counselling skills as well as to meet other newly-trained lawyers. We thank the Clark Foundation for their support in being able to join this international event involving an amazing range of nations and cultures.”

The DPLP is a postgraduate qualification required to practice law in Scotland, combining legal training with the development of practical professional skills, of which client consultation is a central component.

Congratulations to Ellie and Anna on an impressive result!

Find out more about our DPLP

Diploma in Professional Legal Practice