Lechmere Essay Competition

One prize of £500 may be awarded every year for an essay from a member of the Middle Temple on a prescribed topic of no more than 3,000 words. The word count does not include footnotes, but footnotes should be used for pure reference purposes and not include analysis. 

Submissions will be accepted from student members of the Inn or members who are newly Called and looking for pupillage, or currently undertaking pupillage. Candidates must intend to practise at the Bar of England and Wales.

Entries must be typed and clearly marked with the entrant’s name and student number. They must be accompanied by an electronically signed and dated copy of the cover sheet, including declaration. Entries must be sent to the Scholarships Officer at scholarshipapplications@middletemple.org.uk.

Please also read the Guidance on Plagiarism and Note on Penalties provided below carefully.


The 2026 competition is NOW OPEN.
 

“Should the UK legislator intervene to regulate AI sycophancy, and if yes, how?”


The deadline for 2026 submissions is Monday 31 August 2026 @ 4pm.


You can find the cover sheet that you need to download and submit alongside your essay at the bottom of this page, as well as a guidance document.


Past winners

2025
Daniel Adams
Click here to read his essay.

2024
Matthew Ronchetti
Click here to read his essay.

2023
David Horvath-Franco
Click here to read his essay.

2022
Georgina Pressdee
Click here to read her essay.

2021
Robin Pickard
Click here to read his essay.

Zoe Darling
Click here to read her essay.

2020
Abby Buttle
Click here to read her essay.

First runner up:
Felix Tambling - click here to read his essay.

Second runner up:
Charles Connor - click here to read his essay.

2019
Naseem Naz Khan
Click here to read his essay.

2018
Kavish Shah

2017
Rebecca de Hoest

2016
Thomas Frazer

2015
Natalie Kyneswood

2014
Kevin Touhey

2013
Yasmin Omotosho

2011
John William Devine