Law Council of Australia

International Law Section

International Law Section Essay Competition for Studies in the Law of the South Pacific

The International Law Section 2024 essay competition is now closed.

Entry requirements

Essays are to explore the topic 'An International Issue of Significance which has Legal Ramifications for the Pacific'. Candidates have the option of submitting previously published work of up to 5,000 words or an original work not exceeding 3,000 words. Candidates will be asked to authorise their essay for publication by the International Law Section, which may publish the winning essay on the Law Council website. The winner will receive a prize value of up to $500.00 (AUD).

Eligibility

To be eligible, a candidate must be a citizen of, or studying in, American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu.

Key dates

Essays will be judged by the ILS South Pacific Issues Committee and the winner will be announced at the ILS Annual General Meeting on 12 November 2024.

How to submit

The submissions for the 2024 round are now closed

Contact

For more information about the competition, please contact the Section Coordinator at ben.roberton@lawcouncil.au.

Competition winners

The 2021 International Law Section Essay competition winner is Elizabeth Tomscoll. 

Elizabeth is a third-year undergraduate student, currently interning at Kubak and Kubak Barristers and Solicitors in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Her accumulated legal research and studies over the years have influenced and developed her interests in international laws and principles and their real-world application. Born and raised in Papua New Guinea but studied extensively in Australia, Elizabeth has been exposed to the implementation and enforcement of the legal system locally and internationally. She aspires to work towards the free exercise of rights in the South Pacific with zero barriers to access of justice in PNG in the future. Elizabeth hopes to continue her international law studies and gain exposure to the changing legal climate in order to build a positive legal identity.

A copy of Elizabeth's essay titled 'Legal Analysis: Importance of International Laws and Principles in realising Autonomy to Resolve Conflict in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville', is available here.

The 2022 International Law Section Essay competition winner is Loretta Houlahan. 

Loretta is a Canberra based legal practitioner with a keen interest in administrative and international law. During her time as a Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, she developed an interest in maritime security law and has advised Defence on operational and international law issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

In addition to law, Loretta has postgraduate qualifications in science, and has previously worked in clinical and research science. Loretta enjoys utilising her STEM skills to advise on new and emerging technologies for clients.

Loretta currently works as a Senior Associate at HWL Ebsworth in the public and administrative law team. She continues her service to the Royal Australian Navy as a reservist Legal Officer and sits on several Health and Defence boards.

A copy of Loretta's essay titled 'Climate Change-Related Sea Level Rise: How South Pacific Island States are Testing Whether the Land Still Dominates the Sea', is available here

The 2024 International Law Section Essay competition winner is Sami Shamsi. 

Sami is a final year undergraduate law student at Macquarie University based in Sydney, Australia. He has developed a strong interest in international legal frameworks and principles through his thesis on international criminal law and extensive background in law school competitions focusing upon international humanitarian and criminal law. He has also previously engaged with various branches of the United Nations, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Sami currently works as a Paralegal to international commercial arbitrators at Sydney Arbitration Chambers. He has also clerked at international law firms White & Case and Herbert Smith Freehills.

A copy of Sami's essay titled, 'Legal Effect of Disappearing Small Islands on Maritime Boundary Delimitation', is available here

Last Updated on 26/11/2024

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