2026 EDITION | 2024 RECIPIENT | ABOUT
2026 Christine Huglo Robertson Essay Prize
Reimagining Law and Justice Through Restorative Approaches
Each year, CIAJ supports research on a fundamental issue related to its annual conference. In 2026, the $1,000 Christine Huglo Robertson Essay Prize for Law Students will focus on the theme of “Reimagining Law and Justice Through Restorative Approaches,“ echoing the theme of our 50th annual conference.
Open to students registered for an undergraduate degree (J.D., LL.B. or B.C.L.) at a Faculty of Law at a Canadian university, the prize aims to engage law students in the work of CIAJ and to promote scholarship concerning the administration of justice.
Why should you apply?
- Have the excellence of your research work recognized
- Contribute to a national reflection on the evolution of law and justice
- Present your work in the prestigious setting of CIAJ’s annual conference
- Increase the visibility of your research among a multidisciplinary audience
How to apply
- Deadline: June 30, 2026
- Fill in this form [Application Form] and e-mail it with the required documents (listed below) to ciaj@ciaj-icaj.ca.
- The recipient will be informed at the end of September and will have to submit a proposal for their research project by the end of October 2026.
Registration fees:
- Free for CIAJ student members.
- CIAJ membership required for non-members (student category at $15): https://ciaj-icaj.ca/en/membership/
Documents to be submitted with the form:
The submitted paper
- A dissertation or essay of no more than 7,500 words, including references and appendices
- Written in French or English
- Addressing the theme of the annual conference for the year of application (2026)
- Submitted in an electronic format compatible with Microsoft Word
- The name of the candidate and the name of the university must appear only on the title page
- The paper must be fully anonymized; no information identifying the author may appear elsewhere in the document
An official proof of university enrolment
- Confirming enrolment in an undergraduate law program (J.D., LL.B., B.C.L., or equivalent)
- Issued by a Canadian university
A sworn declaration/statement by the author
- Confirming that the paper was written within the twelve (12) months preceding the application deadline
- Attesting that the paper has not been submitted for another prize or competition
- Attesting that the paper has not been submitted or accepted for publication
Restore rather than punish?
Tell us what you think!
2024 Recipient
In 2024, this prize, accompanied by a $1,000 bursary, was awarded to Marina Bredin for her essay entitled “Best Interests of the Parent? Moving Beyond Controversy & Refocusing on the Children in Parental Alienation“.
About Marina Bredin
Marina is a JD candidate at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts & Science from McMaster University. She is passionate about a wide range of legal fields including family law, health law, corporate law, and business and human rights. Following her graduation in spring 2025, she will be working in New York City.
About the $1,000 Christine Huglo Robertson Essay Prize
The Christine Huglo Robertson Essay Prize aims to engage law students in the work of CIAJ and to promote scholarship concerning the administration of justice. It was created in 2013 to honour CIAJ’s Executive Director between 1992 and 2012.
The winner will receive a stipend of $1,000.
CIAJ provides law students with various tools and projects through its Student Section. In addition to building bridges between students across Canada, the Section is an exclusive learning platform, offering numerous opportunities for students to network and collaborate with key players in the Canadian legal arena.
Selection
A committee will select the best paper. It must be of publishable quality and make a significant contribution to scholarship concerning the administration of justice. CIAJ will not award the prize if there is no text of sufficient merit. CIAJ will publish the paper in digital or printed form. Copyright will remain with CIAJ.
Past Recipients & Research papers: