IAFL European Chapter Young Lawyers' Award 2027
Posted: 2 Oct 2026
What is the subject of the 2027 Young Lawyers award?
This year, entrants will have a choice between two essay topics. Entrants are invited to choose between two topics: The first, 'Who Is the Parent?', and the second 'Should the Law Let Families Make Their Own Rules?'. The essay should focus on law and international family law. Full details of both topics are set out below.
Entries should ideally be written in English. However, translations can be obtained if any applicant prefers to write in their own language. Entries should not exceed 3,000 words (excluding references).
Please note this Declaration of Authorship and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence should be signed and submitted by each entrant with their essay.
Who can submit an entry?
Entrants should be qualified practicing family lawyers of up to ten years qualification and/or experience who are residing in a European Chapter jurisdiction. Applications from trainee lawyers, pupil barristers or the equivalent are welcomed. Entries should relate directly to the case study below, and should not have been published or be under consideration for publication elsewhere.
What is the timeline?
The closing date for entries is 11.59pm (GMT) on Monday 1 March 2027 and submissions should be sent electronically to Ele Dexter, IAFL European Chapter Manager, ele.dexter@iafl.com. A panel of European Chapter Fellows will judge the entries based on the legal analysis of the questions asked with regards to either of the essays. The winners will be announced on Monday 29 March 2027.
What are the prizes?
First Prize is €1,000. Two runners up prizes of €500.
The winner and runners up will also receive a subsidy of up to €550 towards travel and accommodation plus complimentary registration at the IAFL Introduction to European Family Law Conference to be held in Malaga, Spain on 17 & 18 October 2027.
Topic 1: Who Is a Parent?
Family life has changed beyond recognition in recent decades. Developments with assisted reproduction techniques have made it possible for children to be conceived using donor eggs and/or donor sperm. Surrogacy arrangements brought about by such techniques are becoming an increasingly popular option for both heterosexual and same sex individuals. Equality laws have, in some jurisdictions, provided for adoption by same sex couples. Children are brought up by parents and step parents/long term partners of the parent who may have no biological relationship to the child. Yet in many countries the law still defines a parent primarily by biology, marriage or formal adoption. This creates real problems when families move across borders and find that the parent recognised in one country is a stranger in the eyes of another.
Topic 1 Essay Question:
Who should the law recognise as a parent — the person who provided the genes, the person who signed the papers, or obtained the court order or the person who actually brought the child up? Should it be possible for more than two people to share the status of ‘legal parent’? Should countries be doing more to recognise each other’s decisions about parenthood? Write an essay setting out what you think the law should do and why, drawing on examples from at least two different legal systems.
Topic 2: Should the Law Let Families Make Their Own Rules?
People are increasingly making their own arrangements about money, property and family life — through prenuptial agreements, cohabitation contracts, wills and other private documents. Some legal systems respect those choices. Others override them in the name of protecting weaker family members or upholding public policy. Neither approach is without difficulty: too much freedom can leave vulnerable people exposed; too much intervention can override perfectly sensible arrangements made by adults who knew exactly what they were doing.
Topic 2 Essay Question:
Should the law do more to respect the choices that family members make for themselves, or does legal intervention remain essential to protect those who need it? Write an essay examining where you think the right balance lies, drawing on examples from at least two different legal systems. You may wish to consider areas such as: prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; what courts can and cannot override on divorce; inheritance rights that cannot be taken away; and the position of cohabitants and dependants.
As a reminder The Declaration of Authorship and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence should be signed and submitted by each entrant with their essay.
