Gide is delighted to announce that, following the success of the prizes held in 2022 and 2023, it is collaborating once again with The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn ("Gray's Inn) on the French-English Law Essay Prize 2024.
The topic for the prize focuses on a comparison of law relevant to commercial transactions in the French and English legal systems. For the 2024 prize, it is as follows:
To what extent do the duties and responsibilities of a company director, and the consequences of their breach, differ in the laws of France and England? What do these differences reveal with respect to the legal and business cultures of the two countries, and how, if at all, has history played a part?
The Panel of Judges includes notable experts in the fields of French-English law and/or Franco-British relations. For the 2024 prize, we are fortunate to have:
Lady Justice Andrews (Vice Treasurer of Gray’s Inn and President of the Judging Panel)
- Saadia Bhatty (partner, Gide London)
- Michael Butcher (President of the Franco-British Data Society, bencher of Gray’s Inn and organiser of the prize from Gray’s Inn’s side)
- Michael Collett, KC (barrister at 20 Essex Street)
- Dr. Catherine Pedamon (senior lecturer, Westminster Law School)
- Fabienne Schaller (President in the International Commercial Chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal)
The judging process will begin after the deadline for essay submissions, which is 8 September 2024, and the prize will be awarded at a reception at Gray’s Inn in November 2024. The winner of the competition will receive a prize of £1,500 plus a two-week paid internship with Gide's London office; the runner-up will receive a prize of £1,000.
Saadia Bhatty, member of the judging panel and partner in Gide's International Dispute Resolution practice, commented: "I am delighted to be participating in this important essay prize and to be part of the judging panel with my esteemed fellow panellists. I look forward to seeing how the applicants approach the question as they delve into the differences and similarities that exist between the French and English law systems."
The prize is open to individuals who have been in full time legal education for less than six years at the time of submission of the essay.
To register to participate in the prize and to receive a copy of the rules, please email EssayPrize@gide.com.
We look forward to receiving your entries!
