First Time Win for Future Barristers at Birmingham College of Law

January 29 2008

The College of Law held its annual business game final this week and for the first time the winning team consisted of future barristers studying The Bar Vocational Course running for the first year at The Birmingham Centre.

The winning team - B03s - gave a strong performance competing against two other teams in the final, made up of Legal Practice Course students and other BVC students. The panel of judges consisted of Bridget Tatham of Browne Jacobson, Peter Shearer of Aston Business School and Roger Bevan of Elgood Associates who were all impressed with the quality of the presentations and business acumen.

Simon Purkis, captain of the winning team quotes 'When we entered the College of Law's Business Game, we had high hopes for our office furniture firm.  We made key decisions regarding our image and marketing strategy and most importantly maintained motivation and morale. This formula was successful, as we emerged eventual winners. The genius of the game is the way in which it painlessly infiltrates our brains with commercial awareness'.

The Business game is a fantastic opportunity to become familiar with the way businesses operate in a competitive world. Using a simulation of an actual company, students take a seat on the board of directors. Each decision made determines issues such as profitability, market share and ultimately the success or failure of the company. Students work in teams with a mentor from the real world of business facilitating the strategic decisions required.
Paul McConnell, the tutor who organises the extensive extra circular activities at the College of Law, Birmingham stated 'law firms increasingly tell us that they are looking for trainees with strong commercial awareness and business acumen. We, therefore, provide a programme designed to help our students develop these skills. This gives students the chance to learn about the law in a corporate context and to develop a better understanding of business issues and needs.'
This year saw record numbers of students take part, resulting in 30 teams and over 200 LPC and BVC students battling it out week after week.

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