law essay competitions australia

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

The International Law Section 2023 essay competition is now open.

Entry requirements

Essays are to explore ' The Efficacy of Existing Cross Border Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in the South Pacific Region '. 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 Tuesday, 28 November 2023 . Essays will be judged by the ILS South Pacific Issues Committee and the winner will be announced at the ILS Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 12 December 2023.  

How to submit

Please email completed essay to [email protected] by COB Tuesday, 28 November 2023. For more information about the competition, please contact the Section Administrator at [email protected] .  

For more information about the competition, please contact the Section Administrator 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.

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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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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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