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Writing Competitions for Law Students: International Law

Tip

Sponsors/facilitators of student writing competitions provide more detailed instructions and rules at their websites.  Students need to review the information and rules available at these websites.  

International Law

International Law and Technology Writing Competition (annual) [note: there likely will be new "writing categories" in next year's competition]

  • Sponsor: vLex
  • Topics: "For the seventh consecutive year, the vLex International Law and Technology Writing Competition invites students from around the world to submit a 1000-word, blog-style article on one of three topics."  The recently concluded Competition offered students a choice of three topic categories: immigration (linking to technology and law); large language models (and how they are shaping technology and the law); and industrial action (in relation to technology and the law). "  
  • Format Requirements in the concluded Competition stated: "Only submit original writing, that you have written for this competition. All entries will be subject to plagiarism checks."
  • Eligibility requirements in the concluded Competition stated: "[S]tudents from around the world"  "You must be over the age of 18 to enter the competition."
  • Prizes in the concluded Competition were: "The overall winner will receive a grand prize of £1,500, alongside the publication of their entry to a global legal audience.  Additionally, each runner-up will be awarded £250 each for Best in Category."
  • Deadline for the concluded Competition was: January 1, 2024.  Website states: "Follow vLex on social media to find out about next year's competition."

New York State Bar Association International Section: Albert S. Pergam International Law Writing Competition (annual) + 2024 Competition Brochure

  • Sponsor: International Section of the New York State Bar Association
  • Topic in 2024 Competition was: "[A]n article concerning any area of public or private international law or practice."
  • Format in 2024 Competition included: "Article"  2024 Competition Brochure states: "40 page limit for the article including cover page and footnotes."  " The winning article must not be previously published or under contract with any publication other than the New York State Bar Journal, the New York International Law Review, or the International Law Practicum."
  • Eligibility requirements in 2024 competition included: "Submissions must be (a) be from current law students (J.D., LL.M., Ph.D. and S.J.D. candidates) at any law school in any country at the time of submission whether or not already admitted to a bar; or a professor may nominate their student's papers for the competition."
  • Prize in 2024 Competition was: "The winner will receive: 1. $2,000 USD; and 2. Publication of the article (subject to editorial approval) in the New York International Law Review."
  • Deadline for submission in 2024 Competition was: November 8, 2024.

Rule of Law Writing Competition (annual)

  • Sponsor: Beverly Hills Bar Foundation
  • Topic: "Entries should relate to the Rule of Law and may address any or all of the following:
    • Define the Rule of Law or comment upon the attached definition; or
    • Comment on the importance or the effects of the Rule of Law, any of its elements, or the lack of a Rule of Law on society."
  • Excerpt from "About the Rule of Law Writing Competition":

    • "The Rule of Law is a process consisting of five essential elements:

      • 1. Fair Access. The justice system is reasonably open and available to all, and does not impose oppressive burdens on the participants;

      • 2. Fair courts. The courts exhibit tolerance and integrity.  They are competent, and efficient.  Judges are impartial and independent, randomly assigned, and not subject to political influence or manipulation;

      • 3. Fair Laws. The laws are public, clear and reasonable when applied to human experience;

      • 4. Fair Administration. The administrative branch, prosecutors, and police, are reasonably fair, competent, and efficient; and

      • 5. All are subject to the law.  Government officials including the President, Supreme Court and the Congress, consent to being subject to the law.  The Rule of Law process depends on the constant application of tolerance and integrity through a political system founded on these five necessary elements.  Each country implementing the Rule of Law will produce its own legislation, administrative methods and judicial decisions.  Each system while based upon the same five elements will be formed to the particular time, culture and circumstance where it is implemented.  By fostering and promoting the process which is the Rule of Law, no matter what the place or time, all societies can benefit from its implementation."

  • Limit on Entries: "Each author may submit one entry.  Each law school may submit up to three entries."
  • Format and Eligibility requirements include: "This competition is open to Law Review Articles authors who are juris doctorate and LLM candidates enrolled at an ABA or California State accredited law school during the eligibility period and whose article is published during the period.  The eligibility period is the year preceding the Due Date."  Due date: February 18, 2025.
  • Prizes: "Scholarships shall include a $2,500 prize for the winning author and two $500 honorable mention scholarships to be chosen from eligible entries.  Each scholarship recipient will receive a ticket to the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation’s Annual Supreme Court luncheon where the scholarships will be presented.  Winning and honorable mention entries recognized by the BHBF and Beverly Hills Bar Association on their website www.bhba.org."
  • Deadline: Entries for the scholarships are due February 18, 2025 and shall be submitted electronically in Word or searchable pdf form to kenneth.petrulis@verizon.net

Trandafir Writing Competition (annual)

  • Sponsors: Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, in conjunction with the University of Iowa College of Law International and Comparative Law Program
  • Topic: "[W]orld affairs"  "Any contemporary international business or economic concern."  Website provides examples of recent winning submission topics.
  • Format requirements in 2025 Competition include: "Essay"  "There is no minimum page requirement. The essay must not exceed 50 pages, including footnotes."
  • Eligibility requirements in 2025 Competition include: "All students currently enrolled in law or graduate degree programs."  "To be eligible essays must be standalone pieces which have not been published or have an outstanding commitment for publication."
  • Prize in 2025 Competition: "The winning essay will be published in Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, a journal of the University of Iowa College of Law.  TLCP reserves the right to work with the winner to edit the winning submission in order to meet the standards necessary for publication. "[A] $2,000 cash prize paid upon publication of the winning submission."  
  • Deadline for submission in 2025 Competition: "Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems must receive all essays no later than March 14, 2025."

UNIDROIT Essay Competition

  • Sponsor: International Law Institute (ILI) & facilitated by the UNIDROIT Foundation.
  • Topic in 2024 Competition was: "An essay in English ... examining the use of the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts in practice and their role in the development of the law."  Essay's focus "should be the use of the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts in contract drafting and dispute settlement, as well as their influence on domestic laws and other international instruments, and their possible role in new frontiers of contract law."
  • Eligibility note received: Received Feb. 23, 2024 reply email confirming "that participation in the competition is open to anyone. We would be delighted to receive submissions from Brooklyn Law School students."
  • Format in 2024 Competition was: "Essay...between 2,000 and 3,000 words (excluding footnotes and references)"
  • Prizes in 2024 Competition were: "The top five essays received will be rewarded in the following manner: 1st Position: 2,500 € + Publication opportunities.  2nd Position: 1,500 € + Publication opportunities.  3rd Position: 500 € + Publication opportunities.  4th and 5th Position: Publication opportunities."
  • Deadline for submission in 2024 Competition was: April 2, 2024.

Virginia Journal of International Law Essay Competition - In future, check this website for announcements of future Essay Competitions.

  • Sponsor: Virginia Journal of International Law (VJIL)
  • Topic in 2024 Winter Essay Competition was: "Essays should address developments or challenges in international business.  This topic may be interpreted broadly to include private dispute resolution, state action, or other issues arising from current global affairs."
  • Format requirements in 2024 Winter Essay Competition included: "Essay submissions must be between 7,500-12,500 words including footnotes."
  • Eligibility requirements in 2024 Winter Essay Competition included: "We encourage submissions from all law students and recent graduates who have written on topics related to the prompt."
  • Prize in 2024 Winter Essay Competition was: "The winner of the competition will receive a $300 prize and VJIL membership."
  • Deadline for submission in 2024 Winter Essay Competition was: February 16, 2024.