BIUCAC 2020 was the largest commercial awareness competition for law students in the United Kingdom, with over 4100 law students from 40 universities competing. With the aim to highlight the overlooked talent at non-Russell Group law schools, we offer exclusive prizes from top City law firms - more prizes than in 2020 - and more prizes than any other commercial awareness competition.

Over the course of six rounds, you will research key topics that any City solicitor should understand, from the FTSE 100 to worldwide economic global affairs and essential business concepts. This knowledge will help you understand the commercial environment of law firms and their clients. Learning about businesses will allow you to present yourself with a better understanding of commercial awareness in an interview.

1. FieldFisher

• A place on our Summer Scheme at any of the firm's three UK offices in 2021 (Birmingham, London or Manchester)
• An invitation to meet with our Trainees for a Q&A Session
• A personalized CV review, mock interview and assessment centre training with the Early Careers Team

2. Ashurst

• A place on a vacation scheme or training contract assessment centre
• An application and interview advice session from a member of the early careers team
• A discussion with a lawyer from a practice group of the finalist's choice
• £100 amazon voucher

3. BCLP

• Two weeks of work experience covering reasonable travel expenses
• Lunch with a partner / firm representative
• BCLP mentor

4 .White & Case

• One week work experience
• Three meetings/discussions with members of the graduate recruitment team, trainees and associates

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

Round 1

Monday 25th October 2021, Held online - 7 pm

● Online quiz - 30 questions, 14 minutes (link received through an email from Eventbrite on the day of the quiz)

Round 2

Wednesday 27th October 2021, Held online - 7 pm

● Online quiz - 30 questions, 12 minutes (link received through an email from Eventbrite on the day of the quiz)

Round 3

Monday 1st November 2021, Held online - 7 pm

● Online quiz - 30 questions, 10 minutes (link received through an email from Eventbrite on the day of the quiz)

50 per cent of the contestants from Round 1 - 3 from each university pass onto the next round with only 10 contestants passing from Round 3 to Round 4 (Regional Finals).

Round 4 - Regional Final

Wednesday 10th November 2021, Held at the campus of each university - TBC

● 5 short (15 seconds) and 5 long (2 minutes) questions for each of the 10 contestants. These timings are suggested, contestants can use up to 12 minutes in total.

● This round will be held in person at each university campus (subject to COVID -19 government rules and guidelines) with two partners from two commercial law firms to be the judges of Round 4.

● Contestants enter a room, one at a time. They will know the topics, but not the questions beforehand. Contestants will have to answer the questions instantaneously and cannot refer to notes.

Round 5 - Quarter-Final

Monday 15th & Wednesday 17th November 2021, Held online - TBC

● The Quarter Final will consist of approximately 100 contestants progressing from the Regional Finals. It will consist of two parts - A and B and take place on two separate days:

○ Monday 15th November - Part A will involve a Multiple Choice Quiz, which will consist of 20 questions. 10 of which will be similar to those in Rounds 1-3 and the latter 10 will be mathematical and will therefore require a calculator. Part A is worth 20% of the overall mark for the Quarter Final.

○ Wednesday 17th November - Part B will involve a 12 minute Q&A and will take place virtually in front of a panel of 2 partners from our sponsor law firms. There will be 4 quick-fire questions and 4 (2 minutes) long questions. Contestants can choose how to use their 12 minutes, these timings are suggested only. This part is worth 80% of their overall mark for the Quarter Final.

Round 6 - Semi-Final

Wednesday 1st December r 2021, Held in London - location and time TBC

● The Semi-Final will consist of the top 24 scoring contestants that have progressed from the Quarter Final. The contestants will be given two potential questions to prepare for in advance.

● The contestants will enter the judging room, one at a time and the judges (2 partners from our sponsors) will select one of the two questions to ask the contestants. Each contestant will have up to 8 minutes to answer the selected question and a further 4 minutes (at least) of unprepared questions posed by the judges.

Round 6 - Final

Wednesday 1st December 2021, Held in London - location and time TBC

● The final will consist of the top 12 scoring contestants that have progressed from the Semi-Final. The finalists will be split into two groups - 1st to 6th prizes and 7th to 12th prizes.

● Both groups will complete a 10-minute case study presentation, which they will prepare for in advance, and after their presentation answer up to 5 minutes worth of questions on their presentation, posed by the panel of 2 partners from our sponsor firms.

● The marks in which contestants achieve in this round will determine which place prize they win. Points from previous rounds will not be considered.

By signing up to the competition you agree to our Rules & Guidelines. You confirm that as of the 25th of October 2021, you are undertaking an Undergraduate Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) or a joint law degree at a Non- Russell Group University and have not recently graduated. You also confirm that you have not secured a training contract offer and if you do so during the competition, you will withdraw from the competition.

Contestants must be present in the UK for the purposes of the Semi-Final and Final (subject to COVID-19 Government guidelines).