LAW firm trainees scored an impressive double when they took on accountants and engineers in an inter-firm trophy.

The Dickinson Dees squad won round one of the Prospects Cup, a national inter-firm business game for graduates and professional trainees, by making the highest cumulative score out of 130 teams The trainees came second overall, but won an award for being the highest- placed law firm in the Prospects Legal Cup. Those taking part came from professions including the legal, financial, industrial and civil engineering sectors.

The team was presented with itstrophy by James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

The Dickinson Dees’ team comprised Rebecca Little, Adam Hedley, Adam Wilkinson, Neil Abraham and Jonathan Gribben, all of whom are based in the firm’s Newcastle and York offices.

Each team competes against a group of four others in manufacturing a consumer product, such as a mobile phone, for a number of markets.

Decisions must be taken weekly on issues including pricing policy, marketing strategy, production volumes, raising of loans, transport policy and use of consultants with the aim of maximising profit.

The competition is conducted by fax or mail, with weekly decisions sent for processing and culminating in a live final.

Jonathan Blair, managing partner at Dickinson Dees, said: “We are delighted for the trainees who took part in this competition, they all worked extremely hard.

“The Prospects Cup is a really great experience for those who are involved, developing their business skills and also helping them to gain experience in thinking commercially, working together and just as importantly, enjoying themselves in the process.

“The fact that the team won the legal trophy and came second overall among 130 other firms is a fantastic achievement.”

Team member Jonathan Gribben said: “There were 130 teams in the competition overall, so we were delighted with our performance.

“We took our work extremely seriously, but enjoyed ourselves at the same time.

“We also learned a great deal about all aspects of running a business, and that experience will stand us all in good stead as our careers progress.”

The annual competition is sponsored by Nestle and Graduate Prospects, in association with the University of East Anglia.