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The AAL William Gummow Essay Prize 2026
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The winner of the AAL William Gummow Essay Prize 2026 has been announced. View the Media Release here. Read the winning submission here: AAL Annual Essay Prize 2026 - Rory O'SullivanWith the approval of the late William Gummow’s family, the AAL has renamed the Prize the AAL William Gummow Essay Prize in recognition of his long-standing support of the AAL The Hon William Gummow AC KC was the Chair of the judging panel since the inception of the Prize in 2015. The Prize is open to anyone, wherever resident, who is studying or has studied legal subjects at a tertiary level, or who is working or has worked in a law-based occupation. There is no limit by reference to the age or seniority or experience of, or position held by, a person who may submit an entry. Accordingly, judicial officers, legal practitioners, legal academics and law students are all eligible to submit an essay. The amount of the annual Prize is $10,000. The essay topic for the Prize in 2026 was as follows: Section 51(xxxi) of the Commonwealth Constitution confers power on the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws with respect to the acquisition of property on just terms from any State or person for any purpose in respect of which the Parliament has power to make laws. The length of the essay to be submitted is a maximum of 8,000 words (excluding the abstract). The essay must be the author’s own original work and written for the purpose of the competition. The deadline for the submission of an essay was 31 August 2026 and this time limit is strictly observed, as the Rules Governing the Annual Essay Prize make clear. Access to the essay submission cover page is here |
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