SALRC Legal Essay Competition

SALRC Legal Essay Writing Competition

2024 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY IN LAW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SOUTH AFRICA’S LEGAL GIANTS

South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is engaging young legal minds in generating innovative ideas on issues of law reform. The competition aims to honour a range of South African legal achievers who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of our constitutional democracy.

The competition is currently dedicated to the memory of the late Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa who served South Africa with dignity and distinction.

Drawing on the inspirational legacy of Justice Pius Langa, the South African Law Reform Commission (in partnership with sponsors Juta) invites all law students studying towards an LLB or LLM at a South African university to submit their innovative ideas championing law reform issues into the 2023 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Writing Competition.

Join the ranks of future legal achievers destined to shape our evolving jurisprudence by entering this prestigious law student essay writing competition.

Follow this link to read more about the 2024 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition and read the Guide to Legal writing compiled by the SALRC.

Join the ranks of legal scholars destined to play a future role in shaping our country’s evolving jurisprudence by entering this prestigious competition and stand a chance of winning a share of R100 000 worth of prizes!

ESSAY SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 12 APRIL 2024!

The Law Reform Essay Coordinator, South African Law Reform Commission
Private Bag x668, Pretoria 0001
Email: AMakhwanya@justice.gov.za

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The South African Law Reform Essay Competition encourages critical legal writing by students while generating new ideas for law reform. These ideas should be aligned with South Africa’s priorities as a developmental state and be aimed at keeping the law abreast of developments in society and in tune with the needs of South Africa’s diverse population and national policy priorities.
Essays can be on any topic relating to the modernisation, improvement, development or reform of any aspect, area or branch of South African law.
Entries should be in English and must be 4000 to 6000 words in length.
The competition will be judged by a panel appointed by the South African Law Reform Commission.

WHO CAN ENTER?

The competition is divided into two categories and is open to registered LLB and LLM students respectively at a South African university or tertiary institution, in any year of study.
Abridged versions of completed Masters dissertations will also be accepted.
PhD students are not eligible to enter.

RULES OF THE COMPETITION

The sponsor of the prize reserves the right to submit the winning essays for possible publication and to feature them on Juta websites and social media platforms.
Essays received should be in the house style ordinarily required by the University’s law faculty or the house style of the South African Law Journal.
Entries must be submitted in English.
Individually authored essays only. Co-authored essays will not be accepted.
The decision of the judges is final.
Plagiarism is an academic offence which may lead the entrants t o be disqualified from the competition and be reported to his or her university for possible disciplinary action.
All essays must be accompanied by a Turnitin report which does not exceed a 15% similarity index. Entries received without a Turnitin report will not be considered.
Deadline for the submissions of essays for the current edition of the competition has been extended to 29 February 2024.

ABOUT THE PRIZES

Winners of the LLB and LLM categories of the 2023 edition of the competition may select one of the following prize options:
1. A cash prize of R20 000
2. A laptop to the retail value of R25 000
3. A Juta credit voucher to the value of R30 000 to purchase Juta print or electronic publications of their choice.
The Supervisor and Law faculty of the winner of both LLB and LLM competition categories will each receive a R2 500 Juta credit voucher
Runners-up of the LLB and LLM categories of the 2023 edition of the competition may select one of the following prize options:
1. A cash prize of R10 000
2. A laptop to the retail value of R15 000
3. A Juta credit voucher to the value of R20 000 for the purchase of Juta print or electronic publications of their choice.

PLAGIARISM NOTIFICATION:

By submitting your work, you are confirming that it is your own work and have fully acknowledged all the sources you referenced to. For further information regarding the SALRC’s stance on plagiarism, please read the SALRC Legal Essay Writing Competition Rules. All essays must be accompanied by a Turnitin report which does not exceed a 15% similarity index. Entries received without a Turnitin report will not be considered.

SALRC contacts: AMakhwanya@justice.gov.za and Reform@justice.gov.za