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Lechmere Essay Prize

One prize of £500 may be awarded every year for an essay from a member of the Middle Temple on a prescribed topic of not more than 3,000 words. The word count does not include footnotes, but footnotes should be used for pure reference purposes and not include analysis. 

Submissions will be accepted from members of the Inn who are students or newly Called and looking for pupillage, or currently undertaking pupillage. Candidates must intend to practise at the Bar of England and Wales.

Entries must be typed and clearly marked with the entrant’s name and student number. They must be accompanied by an electronically signed and dated copy of the declaration which is provided with the essay topics. Entries must be sent to the Scholarships Officer at scholarshipapplications@middletemple.org.uk.

The Guidance on Plagiarism and Note on Penalties can be found here - please read this carefully.

The competition for 2023 is now closed

You can find the cover sheet that you need to download and submit alongside your essay at the bottom of this page, as well as a guidance document.


Past winners

2023

David Horvath-Franco

Click here to read his essay.

2022

Georgina Pressdee

Click here to read her essay.

2021

Robin Pickard

Click here to read his essay.

Zoe Darling

Click here to read her essay.

2020

Abby Buttle

Click here to read her essay.

First runner up:

Felix Tambling - click here to read his essay.

Second runner up:

Charles Connor - click here to read his essay.

2019

Naseem Naz Khan

Click here to read his essay.

2018

Kavish Shah

2017

Rebecca de Hoest

2016

Thomas Frazer

2015

Natalie Kyneswood

Click here to read her essay.

2014

Kevin Touhey

2013

Yasmin Omotosho

2011

John William Devine