Write for Justice Contest
Edition 2026
The Barreau de Montréal is holding it’s 39th annual competition of composition on a legal theme, aimed at students of primary and secondary levels on the island of Montreal.
The theme selected for this edition is the following:
“Must we always follow the rules, even if we believe they are unfair?”
PRIZES : The award ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Montreal Courthouse as part of the Montreal Bar’s Aim for Justice Events. The winners will read their essays to the audience and will receive an amount $200 from the Barreau de Montréal as well as a copy of Antidote+ Family, writing assistance software created by Druide informatique. They will also be invited for a guided tour of the Courthouse and for a meeting with a judge.
Kindly note that the deadline to submit the essays is Monday February 2, 2026.
Selection criteria
The jury will evaluate the essays received according to the following criteria:
• Compliance with the theme and these rules;
• Integration of legal aspects (reference to a right or law, the legal system, etc.);
• Originality of content;
• Quality of the writing (spelling, vocabulary and grammar);
• Structure and coherence of the essay;
• Correct number of words; and
• Personal analysis.
How to participate
Essays must be sent by 5 p.m. on February 2, 2026 to the following address: concours@barreaudemontreal.qc.ca
Participants’ essays must be sent in the following order for each student:
• Duly completed registration form;
• Consent of parent or tutor for essays written by students under 14 years of age; and
• Participant’s essay.
The Barreau de Montréal reserves the right to exclude any essay that does not meet the following criteria:
• More words than the number allowed;
• Incomplete registration form;
• Incomplete parental consent;
• Any form of plagiarism; and
• Any essay written in whole or in part using artificial intelligence (see rules).
