In October 2020, DSC launched an essay writing competition aimed at people aged 16-18 and since its launch we have received outstanding submissions, diversity of entrant and thought.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Competition are now closed.
This year's essay question is as follows:
Should the right to protest have any limits? (max 1,500 words)
Application requirements: All applicants must be aged between 16-21 years old at of the time of the essay-writing window (up to 31 March 2024)
The winner will receive a £500 voucher and ongoing access to mentoring from a member of Doughty Street Chambers for the next 12-24 months. The two runners up will receive a £100 voucher each.
Those shortlisted will be invited to Chambers in spring 2024 for a ceremony where the winners and runners up will be announced.
Our prestigious judging panel includes: Associate John Wadham, Rebecca Dooley, Legal Advocacy Officer at StopWatch UK, Yvonne Kramo, Adam Wagner, Chris Packham, a broadcaster, and an environmental and animal welfare activist, Kirsty Brimelow KC, Raj Chada of Hodge Jones & Allen, Temi Mwale, Founder of The 4Front Project, and Katy Watts of Liberty.
2022-2023 Submissions
This year's essay question was as follows:
The use of AI can disproportionately negatively affect marginalised groups in our society. Is there any benefit to using AI in our legal system?
This year the judges were: Nani Jansen Raventlow, Allan John McCay, Kay Firth-Butterfield, Susie Alegre, Sarah Chander, and Minesh Tanna. See what they have to say below.
The winners of the Doughty Street 2023 Essay competition were announced at a prize giving ceremony with all those shortlisted in chambers on the 17th July 2023. Our winners are as follows:
1st place: Monelle Garber.
2nd joint place runners-up: Syan Upile and Amelia Twining.
Read Monelle's submission here.
Read Syan's submission here.
Read Amelia's submission here.
Congratulations to our worthy winners, and all those shortlisted!
2021-2022 Submissions
This year's essay topic was climate change and social justice and the question was as follows:
‘International law recognises that global warming will most affect those least responsible for it. Individually, nationally and globally how can global warming be effectively tackled in a way that recognises this injustice?’
Judges: David Lammy MP, Krishnendu Mukherjee, Jennifer Robinson, Nani Jansen Reventlow, I. Stephanie Boyce, Sue Willman, and Somini Sengupta. Click here to read why our judges are in support of the essay competition.
1. Hannah's submission is available here.
1. Nuha's submission is available here.
2. Sai's submission is available here.
The winners of the Doughty Street 2022 Essay competition were announced at a prize giving ceremony with all those shortlisted in chambers on the 8th July 2022. Our winning essays can be accessed here:
1st joint place: Hannah Malik and Nuha Ahmed
2nd place runner-up: Sai Sarvagna Thota
Congratulations to our worthy winners, and all those shortlisted!
The photo album from the prize giving ceremony can be accessed here.
Pictured from left to right: Maya Sikand QC, Nuha Ahmed, Hannah Malik, Sai Sarvagna Thota, Edward Fitzgerald QC
Picture credit: Jennifer Moyes
2020-2021 Submissions
The competition required applicants to share an essay up to 1,500 words on the following question:
How do people’s experiences of authority differ, depending on their identity or their socio-economic or racial background? Should the law, institutions or people in positions of authority or power, change in order to address these differences and, if so, how?
Judges: David Lammy MP, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Wayne Jordash QC, Geoffrey Robertson QC, Rt Hon Lord Stephen Irwin, and Nani Jansen Reventlow.
1. Toyin wrote about racism in the Criminal Justice System. Read her full submission here.
2. Luna wrote about race focussed on authoritarianism and populism. Read her full submission here.
2. Prakruti wrote about education and the prison system. Read her full submission here.