12KBW is proud to launch our annual tort law essay competition. This year’s question is:
“[T]he [tort] system is about as fair as a lottery. In fact, it is not too much to say that it is a lottery, a lottery by law.”
– P.S. Atiyah, The Damages Lottery (1997)
Do you agree? Should the system be changed?
The competition is open to all students registered with UK higher educational institutions.
Essays should be submitted by the deadline of Thursday 12th November. The three winning entrants will be awarded prizes of £2,000 (1st prize), £1,250 (2nd prize), and £750 (3rd prize).
The order of the top three essays will be judged by The Honourable Mr Justice Cotter, a High Court Judge specialising in tort law.
Winners will be announced in early 2027. All prize-winning essays will be published on the 12KBW website. Winners will also be offered the chance to undertake a mini-pupillage at 12KBW.
Essays can be submitted via our website here where you will also find the full essay rules.
Best of luck to all those entering!
