1. Two Prizes, one of TEN THOUSAND POUNDS and one of TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS, are to be inaugurated. The Prizes are intended to encourage and reward the writing of books which make an outstanding contribution to the understanding of the law and in this way to mark the Inn's long standing commitment to legal scholarship and to the education and training of practising and intending lawyers. The two thousand five hundred pound prize will be confined to “young authors” i.e. those who, at the date of publication are within ten years of being awarded a first degree or being admitted as a practising lawyer (whether in any part of the United Kingdom or elsewhere) whichever period is the shorter. It is intended that the Prizes will be offered again in 2011, and thereafter at three-yearly intervals.
2. To be eligible for an award, the book must be an original work, first published in print (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) between 1 January 2006 and 1 April 2008. The book must be in the English language (although a published English translation of a work first written in another language will be considered). Books jointly authored by no more than three writers are eligible (the prize in such a case being shared between the authors) but reprints, reissues and multi-authored collections of essays, conference proceedings and the like are not. The criterion to be applied in deciding on the award of the Prizes is the extent to which the book makes an outstanding scholarly contribution to the understanding of the law as administered in England and Wales. But subject to that consideration, works dealing with international law, comparative law, the law of the European Union, the Commonwealth (or other international organisation), legal history, legal philosophy, sociology of law, or criminology and the treatment of offenders will be eligible for consideration.
3. There are no restrictions on authors' nationality or domicile, and the Prizes will (subject to the special conditions for eligibility for the “Young Authors' Prize”) be awarded without regard to the author's age, occupation or educational qualifications and background.
4. To be considered for a prize the book must be nominated on a prescribed form by either the publisher or a university or other recognised educational or learned institution. Completed nomination forms together with one copy of the book must be received at the Inner Temple no later than 1 May 2008. If the title nominated is accepted for further consideration, the publisher may be required to provide copies for use by the assessment panel and for the Inner Temple Library. Copies provided will not be returned.
5. The Prizes may be divided between works of equal merit. The Inner Temple reserves the right not to make an award. The decision of the Inner Temple on eligibility and any other matter arising from the competition shall be final and not subject to any form of appeal or review.
6. The Prizes will be presented at an awards ceremony to be held at the Inner Temple on 2nd December 2008.
