The Law Society invites Transition Year (TY) students from across the country to enter this year’s Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition by 23 November.
The Law Society invites Transition Year (TY) students from across the country to enter the Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition.
This year’s essay title is: “Climate Change Mitigation; the role the law can play in addressing the climate crisis”
2023 competition is now closed. Information on the 2024 competition will be released in September 2024.
About 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 in Ireland to be appointed. Gráinne 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 infused spaces and places with her joyful gratitude for life and desire to make a difference to people and their lives.
She reflected greatly on all matters to do with the law and on 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 invites TY students from across the country to enter.
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.
2023 winners
Read the 2023 winning entries:
Previous winners
The 2023 winner Saorla McDonagh Sharkey shares her experiences of the competition.