Join us in extending congratulations to our winners of the 2024 Annual Student Essay Competition. In first place, Archie Philips, in second place, Hannah White and in third place, Sylvia Cullen.
Archie studied a BA in Classics at the University of Cambridge, during which he wrote a dissertation exploring the impact of classical thought on the emergence of vegetarinism in 19th century Britain. Intent on a career as a criminal barrister, he shall begin the GDL at City, University of London this year.
Hannah is currently studying the LPC LLM in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Exeter. She graduated with first-class honours from the University of Worcester in Law with Forensic Psychology. During her studies at Worcester, she won the David Hallmark Public Law Essay Prize. In college, she came 7th in the Kinglsey Napley Legal Apprentice competition. She volunteers with Dogs Trust and is passionate about using her legal career to advocate for animal rights and welfare.
Sylvia is currently studying for her law conversion with masters at the University of Law. Sylvia graduated last year with a first class undergraduate degree in social and political sciences from the University of York and will begin her Bar Practise Course in September before commencing pupillage in October 2025. Alongside her studies, Sylvia is a singer and singing teacher and last month represented team England at the Dance World Cup in Prague. She has recently been appointed as a trustee to the board of Sing Inside, a charity that delivers singing workshops in prisons, and is delighted to have been awarded third place in Alaw’s essay competition 2024.
Congrats to all three of you, and a big thank you to all the students who participated in the 2024 competition. It’s always inspiring to us to see students delve into the questions with care and consideration, and provide thought provoking essays. Our panel of judges thoroughly enjoy reviewing them!
What is the Annual Student Essay Competition? Every year A-LAW runs an essay competition for students on a topical issue or theme within the field of animal law. This year our essay question was:
In 2020, in his renowned witness statement in “David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet”, Sir David urged people to “rewind the world” in order to save it, but what legal implications does rewinding bring, particularly in relation to existing wildlife management legislation in the UK?
Our competition provides students with the opportunity to hone their research and writing skills, whilst gaining experience in a niche area of law. It also offers an opportunity to get published in a peer reviewed journal, the UK Journal of Animal Law, the first of its kind within the UK.
Our competition is judged by esteemed lawyers and academics from around the UK.
This competition is open to all students, inclusive of undergrad and postgrad studies. Learn more about our competition here, or message Tiffany.mitchell@alaw.org.uk for further information.
