Aspiring Barristers runs two seasonal essay competitions each year taking place during the Spring and Winter months and provides an excellent opportunity for aspiring student barristers to enhance, refine and put to the test, their written advocacy skills.

Entries must be written in accordance with the relevant rules applicable which can be found here. The relevant Cover Page must also be attached to each entry.

The winning essay and runner-up essay will be decided by Aspiring Barristers' Judging Panel, comprising of practising Barristers, KCs and/or Judges. A 'highly commendable' essay will also be recognised by the Panel.

The deadline to submit an entry for Aspiring Barristers' Spring Essay Competition is 23:59 on Wednesday 31st May 2023.

Candidates can submit their essay entry by emailing aspiringbarristers.team@gmail.com and are asked to  include ‘Spring Essay Competition Entry’ as the email subject line.

Candidates are kindly asked to ensure their essay entry is pdf formatted.

Participation in the Essay Competitions are open to both Aspiring Barristers Members and non-Members. 

The essay question candidates are to answer for the Spring 2023 Essay Competition is as follows: 
 
Is enough being done to improve socio-economic diversity at all levels of the Bar?

Candidates are asked to adopt the following definition of social mobility, provided by the Social Mobility Council, when answering the set question:

“Social mobility is the link between a person’s occupation or income and the occupation or income of their parents. Where there is a strong link, there is a lower level of social mobility. Where there is a weak link, there is a higher level of social mobility”. 

Competition Prizes: 

Winning essay - A 3-hour bespoke mentoring package with Chris Daw KC. An exclusive opportunity to be mentored by one of the country's leading silks. 

Runner-up - A £25 Amazon voucher.