Times student essay competition tackles cameras in court
updated on 07 November 2011
The topic is in for this year's Times Law Awards essay competition sponsored by One Essex Court, and it is "Cameras in court: justice's loss or gain?". Justice Secretary Ken Clarke announced in October that cameras should be allowed into the lower courts, a move that would end a ban that has been in place for a century - but what are the implications?
Though Clarke's statement has been welcomed by broadcasters ITN and Sky, others have raised various concerns regarding the problems that lifting the ban may cause for the justice system. There are practical concerns - such as deciding who will pay for the filming - as well as wider ethical implications to consider. What could this potentially mean for sensitive cases involving vulnerable people such as minors? There is also the concern that broadcasters will present legal proceedings as a form of reality entertainment, showcasing the most controversial and dramatic cases for the titillation of viewers - but aren't newspapers doing this already?
Emma Himsworth, a One Essex Court barrister judging the competition, said: "The idea that justice must be done and seen to be done is well established and means there is no problem in principle about having cameras in court…But when it comes to the practicalities, there is a range of issues about how justice might be affected which we would like essayists to discuss."
First prize would cover over one-third of a year's tuition fees at £3,500, second prize weighs in at an expensive mini-break at £2,500 and third prize is a healthy £1,500. On top of this, three runners-up will each pocket £1,000.
Here are the rules: all students registered with an educational body in the United Kingdom are eligible to enter. Entries must not exceed 1,000 words and should be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to The Times Law Awards, c/o One Essex Court, Temple, London EC4Y 9AR. The competition's closing date is 6:00pm on 28 November 2011. Those who make the shortlist will be informed by the end of January. For more information go to www.oeclaw.co.uk and good luck!
