legal essay competitions australia

Essay Competition

2024 essay competition now accepting submissions...

On this page, you will find all of the details you need to enter the annual NELA Essay Competition.

First, click the following link to download a copy of the NELA Essay Competition Rules: click here .

Please read the Rules closely because you must comply with them in full to be eligible to win an Essay Competition prize.

Once you have read the Rules and you are ready to submit your entry, follow the instructions below.

If you have any questions about the Essay Competition, please email education@nela.org.au.

Submissions due 13 December 2024.

We are looking forward to reading your essays about innovations in Australian environmental or climate law.

Essay Upload Portal

To enter the Competition, please fill in the form below and if you have any issues please contact admin@nela.org.au

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National essay prize.

The Australian Institute of Administrative Law awards an  AIAL  National Essay Prize in Administrative Law every two years.

The AIAL Essay and Multimedia Prize in Administrative Law for 2024 is now open. The closing date for entries has been extended to 11 June 2024. The details for the AIAL Essay and Multimedia Prize in Administrative Law are here:

The 2022 prize was won by Dane Luo with an essay entitled “ Miller in Australia: just imagination or the inevitable?” which is published in AIAL Forum 108.

The 2019 prize was won by David Patrick Hertzberg with an essay entitled “The three forms of executive power and the consequences for administrative law” which is published  in AIAL Forum 96.

The 2017 National Essay Prize was won by Callum Herbert, a masters student at ANU, with an essay entitled “Halting the ripples of affection: A practical approach to preserving ‘threshold decisions’ of doubtful validity”. The essay is published in  AIAL Forum  89.

The 2015 National Essay Prize was won by joint winners Lucy Jackson and Christopher Ellis. Ms Jackson’s essay “Towards an administrative estoppel” is published in AIAL  Forum 81 . The essay by Mr Ellis is published in  AIAL  Forum  82.

The 2013 National Essay Prize winner was won by Daniel Reynolds, a law student at the University of New South Wales, with an essay entitled “Consitutionalisation of administrative law”. The essay was published in AIAL  Forum  74.

The 2011 National Essay Prize was won by Maya Narayan with an essay entitled “Creature of statute, beast of burden: The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the heavy lifting of human rights”. The essay was published in AIAL  Forum  66.

The 2009 National Essay Prize was won by Tristan Robinson with an essay entitled “Federal FOI reform and media access to government information: A transparency revolution or just a better foothold?”. The essay was published in AIAL  Forum  62.

State and Territory Essay Prizes

There are no State or Territory prizes at this time.

AUSTRALASIAN SOCIETY OF LEGAL PHILOSOPHY

Essay competition.

The ASLP Essay Competition is designed to encourage original research and writing in legal theory and philosophy of law by early career scholars around the world. The author of the winning essay will receive a cash prize of AU$1,000, plus a contribution of up to AU$500 towards the cost of attendance at the Society’s annual conference to present the essay as a paper.

Who can take part?

The competition is open to students currently enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (Master or Doctoral) in any discipline. Graduates in one discipline reading for a first degree in a different discipline (such as a Juris Doctor) are not eligible.

Submission process and deadline

Submissions may be on any topic in legal theory or the philosophy of law. Essays must be in English and not exceed 15,000 words (including notes, references, headings, etc). 

It is a condition of being awarded the ASLP Essay Prize that the winning essay be submitted for publication in the next issue of the Journal of Legal Philosophy . Note that the essay will still need to go through the review process and that publication is not guaranteed.

Submissions for the 2023 Competition closed on 31 December 2023. The winner was Levin Güver (University College London), whose entry was entitled "Untangling the Gordian Know of Motive". Submissions for the 2024 Competition will open later in the year.

Marlow Meares, a third-year law student at ANU, recently won the 2022 Sir Anthony Mason Constitution Law Essay Competition.

I’m interested in politics and law and thought ANU was the best choice given its strength in public law.

By Helen Tong (student ambassador)

Essay writing is an integral part of any law student experience.

For Marlow Meares, a third-year law student at The Australian National University (ANU), essay writing is a skill that he has clearly mastered.  

Marlow recently won the 2022 Sir Anthony Mason Constitution Law Essay Competition for his essay on how the High Court interprets referenda.

Named in honour of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE , a distinguished professor at the ANU College of Law, the annual essay competition provides Juris Doctor and undergraduate law students with the opportunity to write on recent issues in constitutional law.

In his competition-winning essay, ‘ The Frozen Continent: The High Court’s Approach to Referenda Interpretation ’, Marlow argues that the “High Court should place more emphasis on the intent of the legislature and electors when interpreting provisions altered through referenda”.

In this Q&A, Marlow reflects on his essay, the significance of the competition and provides words of advice for future law students.

What was your essay about?

My essay was on how the High Court interprets referenda. It was a particularly timely topic given all Australians will vote in a referendum to enshrine a Voice to Parliament next year.

What motivated you to choose that topic?

I’m interested in theories of constitutional interpretation. Why some value the intentions of people from 120 years ago, while others see the constitution as a living document.

Sir Anthony’s question on referenda interpretation gave me the opportunity to further refine my thinking on these theories within the contemporary context of changing the constitution.

What are your top essay writing tips?

Drafting. After typing out my first draft I spent weeks deleting paragraphs, re-writing, and re-ordering my essay. I especially find it useful to leave my drafts for a few days and come back to them with a fresh perspective.

Why did you choose to study law at the ANU?

I’m interested in politics and law and thought ANU was the best choice given its strength in public law. From the generosity of academics to the ability to watch high profile cases in the High Court, I’m glad I chose to study at ANU.

What are you most looking forward to before graduation in your law studies?

I’m really looking forward to participating in the Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country course next year. The course is an immersive on-Country educational experience that will be like no other course I’ve ever taken.

Do you have any advice for first year law students?

Get involved in ANU. Join the ANU Law Students’ Society , attend events and book launches, and enter the wide variety of law competitions.

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International Law Section Essay Competition for Studies in the Law of the South Pacific

The international law section 2024 essay competition is now open., entry requirements.

Essays are to explore the topic ' An International Issue of Significance which has Legal Ramifications for the Pacific '. Candidates have the option of submitting previously published work of up to 5,000 words or an original work not exceeding 3,000 words. Candidates will be asked to authorise their essay for publication by the International Law Section, which may publish the winning essay on the Law Council website. The winner will receive a prize value of up to $500.00 (AUD).

Eligibility

To be eligible, a candidate must be a citizen of, or studying in, American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu.

Deadline for submissions is COB 31 October 2024 . Essays will be judged by the ILS South Pacific Issues Committee and the winner will be announced at the ILS Annual General Meeting on 12 November 2024.

How to submit

Please submit your essay to [email protected] by 31 October 2024. 

For more information about the competition, please contact the Section Coordinator at  [email protected] .

Competition winners

Elizabeth is a third-year undergraduate student, currently interning at Kubak and Kubak Barristers and Solicitors in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Her accumulated legal research and studies over the years have influenced and developed her interests in international laws and principles and their real-world application. Born and raised in Papua New Guinea but studied extensively in Australia, Elizabeth has been exposed to the implementation and enforcement of the legal system locally and internationally. She aspires to work towards the free exercise of rights in the South Pacific with zero barriers to access of justice in PNG in the future. Elizabeth hopes to continue her international law studies and gain exposure to the changing legal climate in order to build a positive legal identity.

A copy of her essay is available here .

In addition to law, Ms Houlahan has postgraduate qualifications in science, and has previously worked in clinical and research science. Loretta enjoys utilising her STEM skills to advise on new and emerging technologies for clients.

Ms Houlahan currently works as a Senior Associate at HWL Ebsworth in the public and administrative law team. She continues her service to the Royal Australian Navy as a reservist Legal Officer and sits on several Health and Defence boards.

Click here to read  Ms Houlahan’s winning essay in 2022.

Last Updated on 15/08/2024

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Australia's Most Prestigious Essay Competition

The Governor-General's Prize is an essay competition open to all students enrolled in an undergraduate degree at an Australian University and studying in Australia for all or part of 2022 and 2023.

For over fifteen years, this prestigious competition has provided students with the opportunity to be recognised for their academic skill, talent, and research.

Each year, the judging panel for the Governor-General’s Prize is chaired by a Justice of the High Court of Australia  and includes prominent academics and community leaders.

Entrants of the six shortlisted essays are interviewed by the judging panel, providing an the opportunity to receive feedback.

The total prize money is $10,000.

Entries closes on 31 December 2023

Click here to access the questions

Click here to submit your essay

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Energy & Resources Law National Essay Prize

The Energy & Resources Law Association – is pleased to offer the following prizes for an essay dealing with an aspect of Resources or Energy Law:

First Prize $1,500 AUD 24 months free membership of the Energy & Resources Law Association Second Prize $750

24 months free membership of the Energy & Resources Law Association

Third Prize 12 months free membership of the Energy & Resources Law Association

Eligibility

All persons resident in Australia or ASEAN countries, who are:

a)       currently enrolled in either an undergraduate or postgraduate Juris Doctor study in law; or

b)      currently enrolled in a Masters degree in law; or

c)       holders of an undergraduate or postgraduate Juris Doctor degree in law until the sixth anniversary of graduation.

Essay subject matter

The subject matter of the essay must deal with an aspect of Resources or Energy Law.  The length must be at least 3,000 - 10,000 words.  The style and citation should conform with conventional law review style (see ARELJ Notes for Authors )

Publication

The winning essay will be considered for publication in the Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal and the writer may be invited to present the paper at the Energy & Resources Law Association Annual Conference or (if applicable) their local State Conference. Submission Deadline

Deadline for submission of essays is Friday 6 December 2024 .

Essays should be submitted in word format to Kate Huet (Essay Competition Coordinator), at [email protected] by no later than the deadline.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

This was published 2 years ago

How a year 10 student from Sydney won the Harvard Law essay prize

By monica attia, save articles for later.

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

It’s been hailed by his teachers as an “incredible” achievement. Shore student Aaron Rucinski – 16 and in year 10 at the time – has been unveiled as the winner of the 2021 Harvard Undergraduate Law Review essay contest.

While Aaron had won several school and domestic prizes, his history teacher Luis Siddall said “to win a prize in the USA in an international area, that’s a high honour and he should be very proud of what he’s achieved there”.

Aaron Rucinski, winner of the Harvard Undergraduate Law Review essay competition, at school at Shore. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

The contest has been run annually since 2006 by Harvard for high school students to encourage a greater understanding of the law. Last year was the first time the contest was open internationally, with entries arriving from 42 schools. Aaron beat out John Chang, a year 12 student of Eton College in Britain, and Sienna Berreby, a year 11 student of École Jeannine Manuel, Paris.

“It was the first time I entered a competition like this, especially an international competition,” Aaron, of Paddington, told the Herald . “I was very surprised to win. Being in year 10, I wasn’t too sure if I’d win, but it was great news.”

Aaron came to know about the contest through a friend. “It was about two weeks before it was due. One of my friends told me … they knew I was interested in law. I loved the topic “Law in a Politicised World”; I found it really interesting,” he said.

Within two weeks, Aaron had picked his topic and constructed the prize-winning essay, titled “ Gerrymandering and its Meandering of our Democratic Ideals ”. His essay began: “There is no greater threat to America’s democracy than when the voters lack confidence in their political and legislative system.”

Aaron said he underwent “a lot of preliminary planning”, and “gathered [his] thoughts”.

“I landed on gerrymandering. I learnt about it first in debating,” he said.

“I think racial gerrymandering, where the different political parties in America were trying to cut out and minimise the voting process of minority groups in America, was really interesting.” He is passionate about “minority groups have[ing] their voices heard”.

His participation in public speaking and debating contributed to Aaron’s understanding of the judicial and legislative systems.

“I think the main focus of the essay was talking about the role of the judicial system in America,” he said. “I broke it up into the two gerrymandering that we see: racial gerrymandering and partisan gerrymandering.

“Every single person has the same value for their vote; that people aren’t just marginalised for where they live or how they live. I think that every single person should have the same voting power if they choose to vote.”

Dr Siddall taught Aaron for four years and described his work ethic as “first-rate”. He admires Aaron for submitting himself for the contest in what he described as a “combination of intellectual adventure and intellectual integrity that has come together nicely for him”.

Aaron is now in year 11 and focusing on the HSC. He found that the experience allowed him to “look beyond Australia for university” as well as “maybe pursuing a degree in law”.

“At this point law is up there, and politics and economics,” Aaron said.

“I think it [the legislative and judicial system] has a really meaningful impact on society.”

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Home > Engage > Schools recruitment and engagement > Events > Legal Essay

Legal Essay Competition

Griffith Law School is pleased to present the annual Legal Essay Competition

Do your Year 12 students have a strong case to make about a current legal issue? Year 12 students interested in the role of law and law reform to effect positive social change are encouraged to submit an essay in our competition. With cash prizes up for grabs, this is the perfect opportunity for Year 12 students to showcase their passion for law and social change in a fun, competitive environment.

About the competition

Submissions for 2024 are now closed.

• The competition is open to Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Northern NSW Year 12 students.
• Entries can be either assessment items that students have completed, or new essays written for this competition.
• The essays must be based on a topic that raises legal questions or issues – the choice of topic is up to the student.
• Students must show evidence of research, analysis and evaluation.
• Word count must be between 800-2000 words including footnotes or endnotes, and a bibliography must be included.

Terms and Conditions

$300 cash prize and a trophy

from both Gold Coast & Brisbane competitions

Winner's school

a perpetual trophy

Two runner-up winners

$100 cash prize each

Your privacy is important to us. Information you supply will be handled strictly in accordance with our Privacy Plan .

• I have read and accept the conditions outlined in the privacy plan .

Awards presentation

The Griffith Law Schoool holds the High School Legal Essay Competition in both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The award presentation nights are held at the South Bank campus in Brisbane and at SPG Lawyers on the Gold Coast. The awards presentation is an opportunity to meet Griffith Law School staff, Lawyers and other students. Eligible entrants will receive an invitation to the 2024 awards presentation after the competition has closed.

2024 Gold Coast event

Monday 9 September 2024

5:30 to 7:30pm

2024 Brisbane event

Tuesday 10 September 2024