To take part in this competition you need to submit an essay piece of no more than 1,500 words addressing the above question. This must also include a bibliography, but this is not included in the word count.
The winner of the competition shall win a £500 Blackwell’s gift card titled the Andrew Lockley Prize (the “Prize”). No substitution is available for the Prize.
2. Eligibility
This contest is open to aspiring solicitors, thus law students, graduates, trainee solicitors and paralegals practising public law and human rights or having an interest in that area of law.
3. Sponsor
The contest is sponsored by Irwin Mitchell LLP. Irwin Mitchell LLP is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. In sponsoring the contest, Irwin Mitchell LLP reserves its rights to fully comply at all times with any legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Agreement to official rules
Participation in the competition constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Contest Terms and Conditions and the entrant acknowledges that all decisions of the sponsor are final and binding. Winning the competition is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements.
5. Entry period
The contest will begin on Monday 5 October 2026 and end on Monday 2 November 2026 (the “Entry Period”). Entries that are submitted before or after the Entry Period will be disqualified and not be eligible for the competition.
6. Create and submit an entry
To participate in the contest, you must submit your essay via email with “Essay competition submission” in the subject title to ryan.westwell@irwinmitchell.com within the Entry Period to classify as a valid entry ("Entry"). Eligible Entries will be judged by the Irwin Mitchell Public Law and Human Rights Department Partners to determine the Prize winner.
7. Compliance and data
By entering and participating in the contest, you:
- Agree to comply with the contest Terms and Conditions
- Acknowledge and agree that your personal information will be collected and processed by Irwin Mitchell LLP for the purposes of executing this contest
- Acknowledge and agree to Irwin Mitchell LLP using your name and other information as required for promotional purposes relating to the Competition, once an entry is received, and if your entry is chosen as the winner
- Acknowledge and agree to Irwin Mitchell publishing your essay on their website and virtual channels including social media
- Acknowledge that your personal information will not be shared with any third party without your consent.
8. Entrant’s warranties and representations
By submitting an Entry, each entrant warrants and represents that the Entry:
- Is original to the entrant and makes the Entry on its own behalf
- Has not been made using AI
- Does not infringe the intellectual property, privacy, publicity, confidentiality or any other rights of any third party
- Does not violate any law or regulation
- Is not offensive, degrading or conflicts with public morality.
9. Selection of winner
All Entries will be reviewed by Irwin Mitchell.
Irwin Mitchell will aim to notify the winner in the week commencing 30 November 2026. If Irwin Mitchell is unable to contact you within this period, the Prize will be withdrawn and given to a runner-up of the competition.
10. Questions
If you have any questions regarding this contest, please use subject title “Essay competition query” and email ryan.westwell@irwinmitchell.com.
