To what extent does the Scottish legal system ensure open and transparent sentencing?
Essay writing competition
The Scottish Sentencing Council and the Modern Studies Association have come together to ask students in Scottish schools to answer an important question:
‘Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.’ To what extent does the Scottish legal system ensure open and transparent sentencing?
This essay competition is open to S4 - S6 students at secondary schools, and should provide an evidence-based argument in answer to the question. Essays should be of no more than 1,000 words, not counting footnotes, and are limited to two entries from any school.
The winner will receive £100 prize and be given the opportunity to visit and tour Parliament House in Edinburgh, the home of Scotland’s supreme courts.
Entries should be submitted to msaenquries@outlook.com by midnight on 9 October.
How to take part
All entrants should currently be enrolled as students in years S4 - S6 in a secondary school in Scotland
Essays should be of no more than 1,000 words, not counting footnotes
They should be your own original work and should not use AI in the writing, although it may be used for research
The deadline for submission to your school is 9 October 2026.
Only two entries per school will be submitted to the national competition
Entries should be submitted by the school to msaenquries@outlook.com
No more than two entries per school should be submitted to the MSA.
The MSA will select a shortlist of six essays to be submitted to the Scottish Sentencing Council.
The Council will select an individual winner.
The overall winner will receive £100. The winner will also receive the opportunity to spend a day in Parliament House, including a meeting with one of Scotland's most senior judges.
Accommodation and transport will be provided for the winner if necessary, along with one other person over the age of 18.
All other finalists will receive prizes of £25.
You should explore different issues that relate to the question of openness and transparency in sentencing in Scotland.
You may find the following webpages helpful:
Informing the future of open justice report
You should also use information from other sources.
The judges will be particularly looking for how you use evidence to support your arguments.
You teacher will be able to offer advice on how to write the essay effectively and there is also guidance available at:
How Do I Plan and Structure an Essay?
How to Use Examples in a Modern Studies Essay
How Do I Use Analysis in an Essay?