The Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) has launched a new essay competition for law students, with a first prize of €500.

The competition is open to anyone who is currently an undergraduate or postgraduate degree student of law enrolled in a third-level institution on the island of Ireland, or who is within one year of expiration of such enrolment.

The essay title is: “The Irish courts have demonstrated that the Irish Constitution is a living document which evolves in line with societal developments and values. Discuss whether you agree or disagree and support your position with relevant case law from within the past ten years.”

The second prize is worth €250, with a third prize of €150.

The three prize winners will be invited to a presentation with the Chief State Solicitor in the CSSO.

Declaration

The essay may be submitted in English or in Irish, and must not exceed 2,000 words (excluding footnotes and listing of references).

The essay must be accompanied by the following declaration: “I confirm that this essay is entirely my own independent and original work, representing my best efforts on the topic. It is written in my own words, save where an express reference or citation is included.”

The declaration should be inserted into the essay as the cover page at the front. The CSSO says that an essay submitted without a declaration will not be deemed a valid entry and will be excluded from the competition.

Deadline

All essays must be typed and submitted electronically (both in Word and PDF format) to EssayCompetitionCSSO@csso.gov.ie.

The cover email submitting the essay must provide details of the entrant’s name, contact email and telephone number, university/college, degree programme, and enrolment particulars.

The deadline for receipt of essays is 5pm on 5 April 2024.