IAML European Chapter Young Lawyers Award 2016
Posted: 31 Jul 2015
Introduction
Five years ago the European Chapter of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ("IAML") established a writing award for young family lawyers to be awarded on an annual basis. The Award aims to promote research and excellence among young family lawyers and to increase awareness among other legal professionals of the work and objectives of the IAML.
Prize
The Award consists of a prize of €1,000 to the author of the winning essay and €500 for the two best runners up. The main Award will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Chapter to be held in The Hague, Amsterdam from Wednesday 25 May 2016 to Sunday 29 May 2016. The winning composition will be announced approximately one month prior to that meeting. The winning author will also receive a travel bursary of up to €2,000 to allow him/her to attend the meeting to include travel expenses.
Thomson Reuters have also kindly agreed to present the top ten entrants with copies of the indispensable guide to family law, Family Law, A Global Guide, a comparative overview of family law across over 40 jurisdictions which retails at £180.
Selection
A panel of European Chapter Fellows will be responsible for the selection of the winning compositions. This year’s case study which has a focus on the international relocation of children and the entrants are asked to answer a number of questions. The winners will be selected according to originality, the importance and complexity of the legal issues involved, the relevance of the subject matter to the IAML, any research undertaken and the structure, writing style and presentation.
Subject Matter
The relocation of children is a topic of increasing relevance to the IAML and European family lawyers, typically with an international dimension and/or an analysis of recent or planned developments. Relocation disputes arise between separated parents when one of them proposes to move to a different geographic location with their child and the other parent objects to the plan. Whether the proposed move is within the jurisdiction where the family lived or international, the consequence of either allowing or refusing a relocation application is usually of the greatest importance to the parents and children involved.
The composition should be no less than 2,000 words and should not exceed 3,000 words in length (excluding footnotes), preferably in English, although essays written in a language other than English will also be welcomed.
Eligibility
The author of the composition should be a qualified practising family lawyer of up to ten years qualification and/or experience and be residing in a European jurisdiction. Entries from trainee lawyers, pupil barristers or the equivalent are also welcomed.
Publication
The winning entry will be published on the IAML website and also in the IAML Newsletter. The entry should not have been published or be under consideration for publication elsewhere, although can subsequently be published elsewhere with appropriate reference to the IAML. The invitation to apply will be published on the IAML website and all Fellows of the European Chapter will receive a notice to circulate details and highlight awareness of the Award in their respective jurisdiction
Time Deadlines
The essays for consideration in respect of the fifth annual award should be submitted no later than Monday 1st February 2016. Submissions should be sent electronically to Sarah Lenoir of the IAML at sarah.lenoir@iaml.org.
