Nations in all regions of the world today share a common international sales law, the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). It has been adopted by countries that account for over two-thirds of all world trade. Other important developments include the promulgation of Principles of International Commercial Contracts by the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and Principles of European Contract Law (PECL) of the Commission on European Contract Law.

The Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary, University of London and the Institute of International Commercial Law, Pace University School of Law announce:

Eligibility	Any student at any institute of higher learning anywhere in the world.
Subject	Any topic related to the CISG or UNIDROIT Principles or the PECL. All law schools and many business schools from time to time grant course credit for student essays on selected topics. Essays prepared in response to such assignments are eligible. Essays written by students for future publication in legal or business periodicals are also eligible.
Length & format	Student's choice. Where the essay is written as a course assignment, its length and format are at the professor's discretion. Where English is not the student's native language, the essay may be submitted in the native language accompanied by a typed English translation. Submission of essays as e-mail attachments is satisfactory and encouraged.
Evaluation criteria	Click here for evaluation criteria and data on essays awarded First Place in prior events.
Awards	A prize of $1,000 will be awarded for the best essay. If this essay is not published elsewhere, the Pace Institute will arrange for its publication. For all essays of special merit, the author and faculty member under whom the student studied will each receive a Certificate of Merit.
Submission	Entries must be received no later than 31 December 2009 at the address below. Additional information may be obtained by writing to: Albert H. Kritzer, Executive Secretary Institute of International Commercial Law Pace University School of Law 78 North Broadway White Plains, NY 10603, USA akritzer@law.pace.edu

STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

The Clive M. Schmitthoff Essay Competition