The CBA Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section has established an essay contest featuring papers dealing with constitutional and human rights issues. The objectives of the contest are to promote and reward interest in, and writing about constitutional and human rights law topics by students in Canadian law schools, and to encourage participation by Canadian law students in the CBA’s Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section activities.
CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY
The award is presented annually for the best scholarly essay submitted to the Section on a subject relating to Constitutional Law and Human Rights.
This competition is restricted to full-time university students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school at an undergraduate or graduate level.
AWARD
The author of the winning essay will be awarded a cash prize of $500. The winning essay will be posted on the Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section’s page of the Canadian Bar Association website.
SUBMISSION & SELECTION PROCESS
Essays must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Essays submitted for consideration should address a theme of significance in constitutional law or human rights. In any given year, the Section may call for submissions related to specific topical constitutional law themes and, if so, will make compliance with the themes a condition of eligibility for that year;
- Essays must be the author's original work. Papers submitted for a law school course are eligible, as are those prepared for a conference or symposium. Papers previously published in an academic journal or prepared for a professional development course are not eligible;
- Essays must be a minimum of 12 pages and no more than 30 pages in length;
- Including references (12 point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, excluding title page and bibliography). Note that a bibliography is not required;
- Essays must be cited using the 9th edition of McGill Guide;
- Essays may be written in English or French;
- A short abstract (max. 150 words) and author bibliography (max 150 words) must be included with submission;
- Additional formatting requirements;
- The recipient of the Award will be selected by a Section jury.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
April 25
Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
CONTACT
CBA Sections
Phone: 613-237-2925
Toll Free: 800-267-8860
Email: CBAConstitutional@cba.org
AWARD WINNERS
- 2024 - Johnathon Cruickshank
- 2023 - Caitlin Wardrop
- 2022 - Emmanuelle Atongfor (available only in french)