Africa Essay Competition

This is a competition open to ALL current students at an educational institution on the deadline for submission of entries, whether studying part-time or full-time, law or non-law subjects. Students are invited to submit a 1,000 word essay response to one of the following two questions:

Do African countries benefit from the International Criminal Court?

Or

During Theresa May’s first trip to the continent as prime minister, May said “But I am also unashamed about the need to ensure that our aid programme works for the UK. So today I am committing that our development spending will not only combat extreme poverty, but at the same time tackle global challenges and support our own national interest.” Is it legitimate for the UK to tie development spending to its national interest?

The essays will be judged by a panel of Slaughter and May partners and guests. The winners will receive the following prizes:

First prize: £2,000

Second prize: £1,000

Third prize: £500

The first prize winner may also have the opportunity to take part in a work placement at Slaughter and May, if they have not already accepted a training contract elsewhere. To qualify for the work placement you will be required to demonstrate that you have the right to work in the UK. Individuals who cannot provide evidence of their right to work in the UK will only be eligible for the monetary prize.

Further details, including how to enter and the rules of the competition, can be found on their website (click the 'Apply now' button).

The Slaughter and May Africa Essay Prize is organised and sponsored by Slaughter and May, a leading international corporate and commercial law firm based in the City of London. Africa is an increasingly important part of the firm’s practice: many of the firm’s clients have operations in African jurisdictions, while the firm also provides advice to various African governments. The competition intends to stimulate debate around the important issues to which African commerce and law give rise.