2015 Interleges Award Essay Contest

INTERLEGES AWARD 2015
in memory of Stephen Rayner

Now in its tenth successive year, the Interleges network is proud to announce the Interleges Award 2015:-

TOPIC: TRANSNATIONAL ADJUDICATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS: NATIONAL TRIBUNALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INTERNATIONAL COURTS

The essay should address one of the following sets of issues:

1. Can and do national courts provide different or increased remedies to victims of human rights violations as compared to international courts? Are national courts available to enforce the decisions of international courts and how effective are such efforts? Include an evaluation of the reported effectiveness of national courts in providing remedies for such victims, and suggest improvements.
2. Compare the recent trends in courts of such countries as the United States to reduce the availability of their courts for international human rights violations with the trends in the courts of such countries as Spain and Italy to provide an effective forum for such matters. Include an analysis of what role if any differences between the common law and civil law systems affect both the availability of national forums and remedies, and the willingness of the various national judiciaries to undertake a generous reception of international human rights claims.
3. Examine the right of access of alleged victims of human rights violations to the national courts of various countries where defendants have financial resources that might be applied to judgment rendered in favor of such claimants. To what extent do national courts enforce the judgments of other countries in favor of human rights victims? To what extent if any do the doctrines of comity vary between common law and civil law jurisdictions in their reception of foreign judgments in favor of human rights victims? 

PRIZE MONEY: €4,000.00

The winner will also be invited to attend part of the Interleges Annual General Meeting 2015 to receive the award, which takes place in New York 14 – 17 May 2015. 

DEADLINE: Friday 20 March 2015

WORD LIMIT: 8,000 words, in English (not including footnotes) 

For full award details and specifications please visit www.interleges.com