About Clause & Claws
Clause & Claws is a student-driven legal research and publication platform committed to building an inclusive and credible legal community. The platform aims to promote free access to legal scholarships, encourage original academic writing, and provide law students and young professionals with a genuine space to engage in contemporary legal issues.
Through publications, competitions, and community initiatives, Clause & Claws seeks to strengthen legal discourse and nurture future legal scholars.
About the Competition
The Clause & Claws National Legal Essay Writing Competition, 2026, is an inter-university academic initiative designed to encourage rigorous legal research and critical analysis among law students and research scholars across India.
The competition provides a platform for participants to engage with contemporary legal, regulatory, and socio-legal developments, and to contribute meaningfully to doctrinal and policy-oriented legal debates. It aims to identify and recognise promising legal writers whose work reflects originality, clarity, and analytical depth.
Theme
The following themes are indicative and non-exhaustive. Authors are free to write on any contemporary legal issue within the broad framework of law:
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Constitutional law, governance, federalism, and democratic institutions
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Criminal law, criminal justice reforms, and procedural safeguards
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Technology and law: Artificial Intelligence, data protection, cyber law, and digital governance
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Corporate, commercial, and financial laws
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Human rights, access to justice, and socio-legal perspectives
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Environmental law, climate justice, and sustainable development
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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), arbitration, and mediation
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Intellectual Property Rights and innovation
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Gender justice, child rights, and marginalised communities
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Comparative and international legal developments impacting India
Interdisciplinary, policy-oriented, and reform-focused submissions are encouraged.
Eligibility
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Students and research scholars enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, or Ph.D. programmes at any recognised Indian university or institution.
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Co-authorship is permitted, with a maximum of two authors per submission.
Submission Guidelines
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Word Limit: 1500—3500 words (excluding endnotes)
- Formatting:
○ Font: Times New Roman
○ Font Size: 12 (main text), 10 (endnotes)
○ Spacing: 1.5 (main text), single spacing (endnotes)
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Citation Style: Bluebook (21st Edition)
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Submissions must be original and unpublished. Similarity exceeding 15% will result in disqualification.
How to Submit
Submission must be made exclusively through the Clause & Claws website. Authors are required to register and create an account, after which they may proceed to the “Submit Manuscript” section to upload their essay under the Articles category.
Link: https://www.clauseandclaws.com/
Important Dates
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Deadline for Submission: 15 March 2026 (11:59 P.M.)
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Announcement of Results: 15 April 2026
Registration Fee
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Single Author: ₹700/-
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Co-authorship: ₹1100/-
Prizes
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1st Prize: ₹12,000 + Certificate of Merit and publication on Clause and Claws website + Internship in a reputed Law firm in Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chhattisgarh.
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2nd Prize: ₹6,000 + Certificate of Merit and publication on Clause and Claws website + Internship in a reputed Law firm in Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chhattisgarh.
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3rd Prize: ₹3,500 + Certificate of Merit and publication on Clause and Claws website + Internship in a reputed Law firm in Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chhattisgarh.
Top entries may also be considered for publication on the Clause & Claws website, subject to editorial review.