National Indigenous Law Awards
The National Indigenous Law Awards aim to highlight and recognise the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who demonstrate a passion and commitment to improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Nominations for the 2018 awards open at 9:00 am AEST on Tuesday 29 May 2018 and close at 12: 00 pm AEST on Friday 29 June 2018.
National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award
The professional award is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australian who is currently admitted and practicing as a solicitor or barrister in Australia and has at least five years of professional legal experience. The professional award recipient receives $5000 for professional development.
You may self-nominate or nominate another person. Legal professionals will be assessed using the following criteria:
- championing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in a legal environment
- dedicated contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through the provision of legal services (for example, access to justice, community legal education or pro bono work)
- demonstrated commitment to professional development.
Applicants must also provide:
- a brief curriculum vitae
- a letter of support from their employer if nominated for the professional award by the employe
- rname and contact details of two referees
- proof of admission as a barrister or solicitor
- a personal statement by the nominee of no more than 1000 words addressing the assessment criteria to demonstrate a passion and commitment to improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This statement cannot be written on behalf of the nominee.
The National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award 2018 nomination form and guidelines are available on the GrantConnect website.
National Indigenous Law Student of the Year Prize
The student prize is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australian who is studying law at an Australian tertiary institution and:
- has completed at least four semesters of an Australian tertiary law qualification
- is maintaining an ongoing full-time or part-time study load
- has maintained a Credit (or equivalent) grade average.
The student prize recipient receives $2500 for further study related to law or Indigenous studies.
The application must be submitted by the applicant and not on someone else's behalf. Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
- strong academic achievements in legal study
- relevant extra-curricular activities
- involvement in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that actively contributes to improved justice outcomes (for example, pro bono paralegal experience or volunteering).
Applicants must also provide:
- a brief curriculum vitae
- name and contact details of two referees
- evidence of enrolment at their relevant tertiary institution
- an academic transcript
- a personal statement of no more than 1000 words addressing the assessment criteria, to demonstrate a passion and commitment to improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
The National Indigenous Law Student Award of the Year Prize 2018 application form and guidelines are available on the GrantConnect website.