The Law Society is inviting transition year (TY) students from across the country to enter this year’s Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition.

The competition calls for transition-year students to submit a 1,500-word digital essay on this year’s chosen topic, by 1 December.

The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition enables TY students to explore a chosen essay title in a way that will help them be creative and innovative in their thinking and writing. 

This year’s essay title is: ‘The law and social media: striking a balance between freedom of expression and responsible usage’.

Who was Judge Gráinne O’Neill?

The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition honours the life and legacy of the late Judge Gráinne O’Neill.

In 2014, Gráinne became the youngest judge ever appointed in Ireland. She died in 2018 following a period of illness but, during her life, and especially during her years as a judge, Gráinne worked diligently to apply the law in a fair, rigorous and compassionate manner. 

In four short years, she left a rich legacy of strong, compassionate justice, with a profound, empathetic regard for those struggling to make ends meet and to make good in life. 

Gráinne O’Neill reflected greatly on all matters to do with the law and on the best ways to build a fair, just society. She was courageous, creative and deeply committed to doing good work, and work of a high standard.

Competition history

The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition was initiated by Judge Keenan Johnson (Judge of the Circuit Court), in collaboration with the Midland Solicitors’ Bar Association, in 2019.

Following two successful years of engagement across Offaly and Westmeath, the Law Society is rolling out this competition at a national level, and now invites TY students from across the country to enter.

Entries may be emailed to EssayCompetition@LawSociety.ie.