Young Northern Ireland legal wits to be tested in America

The legal counselling skills of a new generation of Northern Ireland solicitors is to be put to the test at an international competition in America later this year.

Two newly qualified members of the law profession - Steven Keown from Garrison and Ciaran Maguire from Lurgan - have been selected to represent Northern Ireland in a battle of wits against contestants from English-speaking countries across the world.

The client counselling competition was devised by American lawyer, Louis M Brown, to promote the skill of entrants in extracting relevant information from difficult clients within a limited time frame.

The theme of this year's competition is 'environmental law' and competing teams will score on their performance at creating a viable, professional case for a client with a legal problem relating to an environmental issue.

Northern Ireland’s representative’s won the privilege of representing the province after topping an early heat within the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and then fought off rival bids from the law schools of both Queens University and the University of Ulster.

Last year a Northern Ireland team carried off the world prize when the competition was held in New Zealand attracting competition from 14 different countries.

Although receiving limited financial support from the Law Society and the Institute of Legal Studies towards the cost of the trip the two must secure additional sponsorship from local organisations, ideally from those with a dedicated commitment to the environment.

The total cost of the Northern Ireland team's participation in this world event is likely to exceed £5,000.

Both contestants practise with Belfast-based legal firms - Steven at Bogue & McNulty and Ciaran at McIvor Farrell. (MB)