Nominations for the 8th Commonwealth Law Conference Rule of Law Award 2027 

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association is delighted to offer this prestigious award established in collaboration with LexisNexis to recognise the outstanding contribution of an individual or organisation to furthering the rule of law. The winner will be awarded a unique engraved trophy recognising their achievement and offered either a contribution for travel and admission to the 25th Commonwealth Law Conference in Darwin or the opportunity to donate their prize* to a not-for-profit organisation of their choice, whose mission it is to further one or more of the key elements of the rule of law: equality under the law, transparency of law, independent judiciary and accessible legal remedy.

At the closing ceremony of the conference, the 2027 winner will be presented with the award on stage by the CLA President and representatives of LexisNexis and will be recognised on the CLA website. We hope that you will be able to join us in Darwin to congratulate the winner. It is a really memorable event and there has never been a more important time to celebrate the work and dedication of those throughout the Commonwealth who champion and defend the rule of law.

*cash prize of US $5,000 donated to a charity of the winner’s choice or used to support their travel  – no part cash payment will be available.

 Nominate Here

Terms & Conditions

• The form must be completed in full and all sections are mandatory. Incomplete entries will be automatically disqualified.
• Entries exceeding the specified 500 word statement will be automatically cut off at the limit.
• No entries will be accepted after the closing date of 5.00 pm GMT 30 October 2026
• Judging will take place over the period of the competition by an independent panel of judges and their decision will be final and no correspondence shall be entered into.
• The winner will be notified by email and receive official notification of their award in writing in December 2026 subject to the panel’s decision. 
• The winner agrees that their photograph maybe used in any publicity for the award, on the CLA website under the winner announcement and in the CLC27 programme.  Any photographs will remain the property of CLA.
• The winner (his or her representative where it is not possible for the winner to attend) will be presented with their award by the CLA President and members of Lexis Nexis senior management at the closing ceremony of CLC27 on the 13 May 2026 before the congress of delegates.
• The winner shall receive an engraved trophy plus a contribution for travel arranged by the sponsor from country of origin to the CLC27  in Darwin with entry to CLC27 for all conference days.
• Should the winner not require the assistance as above, Lexis Nexis will endow a charity of the winner’s choice with a donation to that charity of USD $5,000.
• No cash alternative to the prize above will be considered.
• Questions regarding the award will only be accepted by email at  secretariat@commonwealthlawyersevents.com