The academic year has still not begun for most of those on academic programmes, but there are already a number of essay competitions with looming deadlines. Here’s a quick rundown:

Bar Council Law Reform Competition

The grandaddy of all law essay competitions; this asks entrants to put forward their ideas (via a 3,000 word essay) for a reform of English, Welsh and European law. Here’s what they say:

We’re looking for you to identify and make the case for law reform that improves efficiency and enhances justice. We encourage you to review how effective, fair and relevant legislation is for today’s society.

So give yourself a chance to improve your written advocacy AND be in the running for the £4000 top prize. This competition is open to you if you:

• Are undertaking pupillage
• Hold a pupillage offer
• Are undertaking the vocational component of Bar training
• Have completed the vocational component of Bar training and are actively seeking pupillage

The Bar Council have narrowed the eligibility criteria this year (no longer open to those undertaking their academic law studies).

Deadline is 23rd October 2025 – find out more via their website.

Gowling WLG ESG Essay Competition 2025

This competition is ideal for those interested in sustainability, human rights, or ethical business. You’ll be in the running for some great prizes if you enter:

• A paid internship in their London office (with accommodation if needed)
• Hands-on experience with our ESG team
• Opportunities to meet clients, draft advice, and explore legal careers
• An Open Day for runners-up to connect with our lawyers and Early Talent team

You need to write 750 words on the following question:

What role should lawyers play in preventing environmental and human rights harms in global supply chains?

Open to students of any discipline and recent graduates, have a look at the Bright Network website for full details of the competition and eligibility. Deadline is 19th September 2025.

Graham Turnbull Human Rights Essay Competition 2025

The Graham Turnbull Human Rights Essay Competition is named in memory of Graham Turnbull, an English human rights solicitor tragically killed in 1997. This long-running competition invites law students and early-career lawyers to explore critical human rights issues and their broader impact on the legal system.

The winner of this prestigious competition will receive a £500 cash prize, awarded by the Graham Turnbull Memorial Fund and the runner up will receive a £250 cash prize, awarded by Hook Tangaza. Additionally, there will be an awards ceremony to be held at the House of Lords.

The 2025 topic?

Is the definition of genocide fit for purpose in today’s world?

Deadline is 30th September 2025 – have a look at the full details via the Graham Turnbull Memorial Fund LinkedIn page.

The Gide and Gray’s Inn French English Law Essay Prize

The most pressing deadline of all is this one – 14th September 2025.

The Gide and Gray’s Inn French English Law Essay Prize is open to all individuals who have been in full-time legal education for no more than six years and were in education during academic year 2024/2025. You do not need to be a member of Gray’s Inn.

£1,500 and a two-week internship will be offered to the winner of this competition, with their essay published in the Inn’s Student Law Journal and on the Gide website. The runner-up will receive £1,000.

Find out more via their website but for the 2025 prize, the essay question is:

“If you were advising an entrepreneur starting up a company that develops and sells AI products would you encourage them to do so under the French or English legal system?”