🕊️ The Palestine Essay Prize

Make your argument. Use the law. Get a free membership.

We believe in using the law to say something that matters. That’s why we’re offering a fully free 1 Minute Law membership to anyone who takes part in our Palestine Essay Prize: a chance to sharpen your legal thinking while engaging with one of the most important justice questions of our time.

✍️ The task

Write a 600-word legal argument that answers the following:

If you were speaking in front of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), how would you argue that Palestine should be recognised as a state under international law, and why should that recognition happen now?

📚 What we're looking for

This is about building a credible, structured, and thoughtful legal argument.

You don’t have to be a legal expert. We just want to see how you think, how you reason, and how you use the law to support a just position.

We’ll be looking for:

Clarity – do you explain your reasoning clearly?
Legal reasoning – do you use international legal principles, treaties or precedents*?
Structure – is it presented like an argument, not just a personal opinion?
Urgency – why does this argument matter now?

*(an earlier legal case or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances)

🎁 What you’ll get

Every participant will receive:
✅ A free 1 Minute Law membership for one year, including daily breakdowns, legal explainers, and interview prep
✅ Your name listed (with your permission) as part of our Palestine Prize cohort
✅ Feedback on your writing if requested
✅ The chance to have your piece published on our platform if shortlisted

This isn’t a competition with one winner.

❓ Why we’re doing this

We’re not neutral on justice. The law can be used to silence, or it can be used to speak truth to power. We want to help more students and aspiring lawyers use the law in a way that’s sharp, credible and rooted in principle.

This essay is about:

Practising legal writing
Engaging thoughtfully with global justice
Making legal education more accessible

📅 How to enter

Deadline: 30 August 2025
Word count: 600 words (max)
Format: PDF or Word doc
Submit to: oneminutelaw@outlook.com

If you want your piece considered for publication on our site, let us know in the email.

💬 Final note

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to make the case. If you're not sure where to start, use the ICJ’s advisory opinions, UN resolutions, and the Montevideo Convention as a foundation. And if you're reading this thinking, “I care, but I don’t feel qualified”, that’s the best reason to write.

👉 Make your case. Use your voice. The law and the world need both.