This competition promotes student engagement with contemporary human rights and equality issues while offering a meaningful career opportunity for aspiring legal professionals.

Why enter?

The competition gives you the chance to:

• engage with human rights and equality issues,
• showcase your legal research and writing skills, and
• gain experience in a leading Irish law firm who champions pro bono and public interest law.

The winning entry will receive a one month’s paid internship  with A&L Goodbody LLP Solicitors in Summer 2026 and a cash prize.

Despite years of progress on the protection of the rule of law in Ireland, Ireland’s progress on a number of rule of law issues has stagnated. Discuss how the rule of law in Ireland can be strengthened to ensure adequate protections for vulnerable groups

Candidates can address topics such as reform to the civil legal aid scheme, groups who still face barriers to civil justice such as disabled individuals, migrants and travellers, language barriers and insufficient interpretation services

Essay of 1500 words maximum including footnotes, citations and bibliography.

The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited.

The competition is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of subject/discipline currently enrolled at third-level institutions in Ireland.

Entries must be submitted by email to hrecessaycompetition@lawsociety.ie by Friday 20 March 2026 at 5pm.

The judging process

Shortlisted candidates will be called for in person interviews by the judging panel in Dublin to present their essays.

The judges' decision will be communicated to entrants in April 2026.

The fine print

The judges' decision will be final.

All candidates acknowledge that their personal data may be shared with the judging panel only and such private data will not be shared with third parties.