The RMIT LSS Essay Competition is your chance to showcase your legal writing skills in our annual law journal, McPherson’s Papers. The competition welcomes submissions from all current Juris Doctor (JD) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) students enrolled at RMIT.
What's in it for you?
  • A prize of $100 (1st place)
  • Your essay published in the LSS journal, McPherson’s Papers
  • Recognition for excellence in legal writing in your portfolio
What do you need to do?
  • Submit an academic paper addressing any area of law or legal issue.
  • Your submission should be: 
    • Developed and assessed in a course of study at RMIT
    • At least 1500 and not more than 3000 words in length.
Please read the rules before submitting your paper using the form below.

THE RULES

1. RESEARCH AND PREPARATION 
1.1  All substantive research and preparation must be conducted solely by the competitor, in line with the University's code of conduct and integrity policies.

2. BASIC RULES
2.1 The paper is to be no longer than 3000 words (maximum word limit). 
2.2 The paper is to be no shorter than 1500 words (minimum word limit). ​
2.3 Basic footnotes, bibliography, titles, subtitles and contents pages will not be considered part of the word limits prescribed in 2.1 and 2.2.
2.4 Explanatory footnotes are permitted, but must be included in the word limit. 
2.5 The paper should conform to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation 4th Edition.
2.6 The paper must have already been submitted and marked as part of your law degree.
2.7 The paper must have received a mark of at least 60%. 
2.7.1 Competitors are encouraged to edit their work based on any feedback received in the marking process.
2.8 Evidence of the mark must be submitted with the paper. The evidence must include the name, student number, and mark associated with the submission.
2.9 All entries must be submitted via the website by 5:00 PM (AEDT) on October 31, 2024. 
2.10 Entries must be in .pdf, .doc or .docx format. Entries without the declaration of originality and evidence of original grade mark cannot be considered.
2.11 Each competitor may submit a maximum of 3 papers for consideration. 
2.12 Late entries will not be accepted.

Essay Competition submissions

    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB

    DECLARATION & STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP

    In submitting my essay, I declare that:
    1. This work is my original work and no part of it has been copied from any other student’s work or from any other source, except where appropriate acknowledgement is made.
    2. I have previously submitted this work to RMIT as part of a course of study and it has received an original grade mark of at least 60%.
    3. This paper contains a minimum of 1200 words and a maximum of 3000 words as defined in the competition rules.
    4. I give permission for RMIT LSS to reproduce, communicate, publish and archive my submitted work for the purpose of this competition.
    I understand that:
    1. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is my own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence.  Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited.
    2. Plagiarism includes the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy my work.
    3. Any evidence of plagiarism in this competition will be investigated by competition organisers. Credible allegations of plagiarism may lead to disqualification from the competition and referral to the College of Business and Law for further investigation.
    I declare that I have read and understood the declaration and statement of authorship.