The CBA Wills, Estates and Trusts Section has established an essay contest related to general topics in Canadian wills, estates and trusts law. The objectives of the contest are to promote and reward interest in wills, estates and trusts law topics in Canadian law schools and to promote participation by Canadian law students in the activities of the CBA Wills, Estates and Trusts Section.
Criteria and Eligibility
The award is presented annually for the best English or French scholarly paper received by the submission date on a subject relating to wills, estates and trusts law in Canada by an individual who is a full-time or a part-time student currently enrolled at a Canadian law school. Also, all current graduating law students and/or articling students and/or candidates in the Law Practice Program, are eligible to enter as long as they are not called to the Bar.
Papers must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Papers must be at least 10 pages and no more than 20 pages in length, including references (size 12 Times New Roman, double-spaced, excluding the title page and bibliography).
- Must address a theme of significance in wills, estates and trusts law, or public policy or public affairs related to same.
- Papers must be appropriately referenced; all referencing methods in the legal field will be accepted.
- Papers may be written in English or in French. There will be one prize in total.
- Papers must be researched and written by one author. Papers must be the author’s own original, unpublished work. Papers that are submitted for a law school course are eligible.
- The author’s name and identifying information must not appear on the paper itself.
- A brief abstract (max. 150 words) and author biography (max. 150 words) must also be submitted.
- Additional formatting requirements.
Papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Originality
- Theoretical or practical value
- Soundness of argumentative or expositive thread, including clarity of thesis statement
- Effectiveness of organization and structure, including clarity of introduction and conclusion
- Quality of prose, with value ascribed to gracefulness and clarity
- Creativity and persuasiveness
Papers written in the context of a course or written specifically for this contest will be accepted. However, we encourage students to be selective in their submission and only send papers of significant quality.
The author will grant the CBA the non-exclusive right to produce, reproduce and publish and sell the work (as part of the CLE materials available to be purchased on the CBA website). The CBA will acknowledge in any publication the authorship as noted in the work. The author authorizes the CBA to make minor revisions that the CBA may judge necessary for the purpose of such publication. The author warrants that the appropriate acknowledgement has been given and consent obtained for quotes or extracts from other sources that, except as noted, the work is original and its use and publication by CBA will not expose CBA to any claim or liability for breach of confidence or copyright.
Plagiarism policy
Submissions must not infringe the intellectual property rights of others and must not plagiarize another’s work. Plagiarism is deliberately presenting the ideas, expression of ideas, or work of others as one’s own. Plagiarism includes reproducing or paraphrasing portions of someone else’s published or unpublished material, regardless of the source, and presenting these as one’s own without proper citation or reference to the original source. The CBA reserves the right to assess all submissions for content that potentially infringes on or plagiarizes the work of another and will disqualify any candidate that submits such content.
Selection process
Individuals must submit their own papers for consideration, together with their full name, address, telephone/fax numbers and email address).
Papers will be evaluated by a jury of 3-5 members, including members on the executive committee.
The selection committee may decide not to offer an award in any one year.
Award & Presentation
The winner will be announced on the Section’s webpage and through Section and CBA communications as appropriate. The winning paper will be published on the CBA Wills, Estates and Trusts Section webpage.
The winner receives a $500 cash award. There will be no formal award presentation. As required, the National Section executive will work with the award recipients corresponding CBA branch to organize the presentation of a certificate.
Deadline for submissions
April 25
Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
Contact
CBA Sections
Phone: (613) 237-2925 or
Toll Free: (800) 267-8860
E-mail: Wills.estates.trusts@cba.org
Award Winners