The competition is now closed. We’ll contact the winner soon.

If you’re an aspiring Public Law and Human Rights (PLHR) lawyer, our competition will give you the chance to win a £250 Blackwell’s gift card. It’ll also raise your profile, which could help kick-start your career in law.

Our PLHR team is looking to hear from law students, graduates, paralegals and trainee solicitors with an interest in, and who are thinking of specialising in public law.

Andrew Lockley was the first head of our PLHR team, and led this work for over 10 years. In his honour, we’re asking entrants to submit an essay based on the proposed changes to protesting rights.

Your essay should consider:

What key factors should the courts consider and give most weight to when balancing the rights to freedom of expression and assembly of protestors with disruption to other members of the public?

Terms and Conditions

To enter, answer the questions in no more than 1,500 words with a bibliography (not included in the word count) and submit your answer to nicole.graham@irwinmitchell.com.

You must read these terms and conditions and official rules before entering into the contest. No purchase required to enter or win.

1. Competition:

To take part in this competition you need to submit an essay piece of no more than 1,500 words addressing the following:

What key factors should the courts consider and give most weight to when balancing the rights to freedom of expression and assembly of protestors with disruption to other members of the public?

This must also include a bibliography, but this is not included in the word count.

The winner of the competition shall win a £250 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 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 Friday 22 September 2023 and end on Tuesday 31 October 2023 (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 to nicole.graham@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
• You acknowledge and agree that your personal information will be collected and processed by Irwin Mitchell LLP for the purposes of executing this contest
• You 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
• You acknowledge and agree to Irwin Mitchell publishing your essay on their website and virtual channels including social media
• You 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
• 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, political or conflicts with public morality.

9. Selection of winner:

In the week commencing Monday 13 November 2023, all Entries will be reviewed by Irwin Mitchell. Irwin Mitchell will aim to notify the winner within three weeks of selection. 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 email nicole.graham@irwinmitchell.com.