This competition is NOW OPEN, please find the question below. Applications will close at 16:00 PM on Friday 23 August 2024
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 members of the Inn who are students or 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 declaration which is provided with the essay topics. Entries must be sent to the Scholarships Officer at scholarshipapplications@middletemple.org.uk.
The Guidance on Plagiarism and Note on Penalties can be found here - please read this carefully.
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.
2024 Essay Question:
In December 2023, HM Judiciary published Artificial Intelligence (AI): Guidance for Judicial Office Holders. Thinking across the next 40 years, examine the opportunities and threats of AI for the process of judging in the United Kingdom and the associated implications for barristers.
Past winners
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
Click here to read her essay.
2014
Kevin Touhey
2013
Yasmin Omotosho
2011
John William Devine