Student Essay Competition
The Scottish Legal Action Group is pleased to announce some new details regading the inaugural SCOLAG Legal Journal essay competition sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors.
Prizes
The winning entry shall receive a cash prize of £200 and the runner up £100. All entries will be considered for publication in SCOLAG Legal Journal. The winner and runner up of the competition will be invited to receive their prizes at an award giving ceremony in 2012.
Subject
We seek essays of between 2,500 and 4,500 words with the main title - Is Scots law promoting justice?
You should provide your own subtitle indicating the particular area you are addressing, For example, your title might be Is Scots law promoting justice? The role of human rights; or Is Scots law promoting justice? Where next for discrimination law?. These are only possible examples: you may wish to read the purposes of the Scottish Legal Action Group on our website and the content of our monthly SCOLAG Legal Journal for an indication of relevant areas.
Judges
We are delighted that The Hon Lady Clark of Calton has agreed to chair the competition panel. Lady Clark QC, PhD, is a Senator of the College of Justice, became the first woman law officer in the UK when she was appointed as the first ever Advocate General for Scotland and was a founding member of the Scottish Legal Action Group. The other members of the panel are all directors of the Scottish Legal Action Group - Eamon Keane, LLB student at University of Dundee, Lindsay Paterson, solicitor with Govanhill Law Centre, and Andrew Wilson, editor of SCOLAG Legal Journal.
Sponsorship
Our essay competition this year is sponsored by award-winning personal injury firm Thompsons Solicitors. Commenting on the Firm’s sponsorship of the essay competition, partner at Thompsons Solicitors, Patrick McGuire, said:
“Thompsons is delighted to support this competition. Our ethos centres around making sure that Scots Law serves society and that everyone regardless of their circumstances gets access to the justice they deserve. This year’s essay topic is therefore one that is close to our hearts.
Whether they’ve been in road traffic accidents, been a victim of asbestos or industrial disease our clients all deserve the same thing: a caring and compassionate legal system that supports their needs.
SCOLAG is a key advocate for the improvement of the law and legal services and it’s great to work together to get students thinking of law in this way"
“We hope the competition gets a good debate going about Scots Law and its future.”
Competition Entry Documents
Download a printable PDF version of the competition rules - click here
Download a printable PDF entry form - click here
Competition Rules
1. The competition is open to any undergraduate student (that is enrolled on any degree course, not limited to LLB or law courses and not limited to institutions in Scotland) or student undertaking the PEAT/Diploma in Legal Practice. A legible photocopy of your matriculation card must be submitted along with the completed entry form.
2. The main part of the title of your essay must be “Is Scots law promoting justice?”. You must then supply your own subtitle indicating the particular area you are addressing so your title might be “Is Scots law promoting justice? The role of human rights.” or “Is Scots law promoting justice? Where next for housing (or immigration or employment etc) law?” or “Is Scots law promoting justice? Access to legal education (or legal aid etc) in devolved Scotland”. Remember, these are only possible examples – see the purposes of the Scottish Legal Action Group on our website www.scolag.org and the content of our journal SCOLAG Legal Journal for an indication of relevant areas.
3. The purpose of the Scottish Legal Action Group is to promote equal access to justice in Scotland. Accordingly, the Group seeks to: promote and advance education and knowledge of the law in Scotland; and improve and advance Scots law and the provision of legal services for the benefit of those members of society who are economically, socially, or otherwise disadvantaged. The panel will judge essays on their structure, style and content
4. Essays must be in English and be between 2,500 and 4,500 words in total including footnotes.
5. Essays may be written by a single author or by co-authors, provided all authors meet the entrance criteria. A separate entry form must be completed by each author.
6. No person may submit more than one essay whether writing as an individual or as a part of a team.
7. The organiser reserves the right to offer additional and substitute prizes.
8. The editor of SCOLAG Legal Journal may select any essay for publication. The author(s) may be asked to edit or rewrite aspects of the essay before publication. Submission of an essay constitutes permission to publish in whole or by extract in SCOLAG Legal Journal or any other medium (e.g. on the internet). In relation to publication, the editor’s decision is final.
9. Participants agree that their personal data will be held by the organisers of the competition to the extent necessary for the proper conduct of the competition.
10. Entries will be anonymised before being forwarded to members of the panel – but your name should be clearly indicated at the top of the essay when you submit it.
11. In the event of a tie the chair of the panel will have the casting vote. The decision of the chair is final. The panel may recommend that no essay is awarded the prize.
12. The organisers accept no liability for any failure of delivery systems – it is the participant’s responsibility to ensure safe arrival of the necessary materials by the deadline.
13. The organiser reserves the right to cancel the competition at any time.
14. Those wishing to enter the competition must submit a completed hard copy of the entry form available at www.scolag.org and enclose a legible copy of their matriculation card to Brian Dempsey, School of Law, Scrymgeour Building, University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee, DD1 4HN and submit your essay as a Word document attachment to an email to be sent to essay@scolag.org by 5pm on 1st May 2012.
Download a printable PDF version of the competition rules - click here