In October 2020, DSC are launching an essay writing competition aimed at people aged 16-18.
The competition will require applicants to please prepare up to 1,500 words on the following question:
How do people’s experiences of authority differ, depending on their identity or their socio-economic or racial background? Should the law, institutions or people in positions of authority or power, change in order to address these differences and, if so, how?
In answering the question, you may wish to:
-
Focus on a particular area or aspect of authority; for example, the police, teachers, government decision-making bodies (national or local), or other public service.
-
Refer to your own lived experiences or examples of lived experiences.
-
Think about legal or policy solutions to the experiences you identify, or ways in which people in positions of power or authority could change their behaviour to address identified issues.
Whilst persuasive analysis and well-structured argument are important, we are particularly interested in creative, thoughtful and original ideas. The content of your essay is most important, and that it closely engages with the essay question.
Deadline: Closing date for all submissions 31 January 2021. Download the application form by clicking here.
Assessment and prize: The final ten essays will be put forward to a prestigious judging panel and shortlisted students will be invited to Chambers in March 2021 (all travel fees to be covered) with parents if necessary, where the winner and runners up to be announced and awarded a cash prize and ongoing access to mentoring service for the next 12-24 months.
Judges: David Lammy MP, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Wayne Jordash QC, Geoffrey Robertson QC, Rt Hon Lord Stephen Irwin, Ulele Burnham, and Nani Jansen Reventlow.