Cleary Memorial Prize

The Cleary Memorial Prize was instituted in memory of Sir Timothy Cleary, past President of both the Wellington District and New Zealand Law Societies and a Judge of the Court of Appeal until his death in 1962. This award recognises and commemorates the fine example Sir Timothy’s own life has set for young people entering the profession.

From 2022 the New Zealand Law Society will administer the Prize on behalf of the New Zealand Law Foundation while it is in recess. The Law Foundation will continue to provide the prize money. Both the Society and the Foundation are committed to ensuring the prize remains relevant and will continue the original intent of the prize.

Applications close 5pm 1st September each year.

The Prize is awarded to the person who shows the most promise of service to and through the profession as demonstrated by:

• Personal character.
• Qualities of leadership (shown by) achievement and service at school and at university.
• Reliability, progress & enthusiasm in practical training in preparation for the practice of law.
• Academic attainments.
• Participation in community service.
• Personal interests & participation in general activities.

Applications are open to any barrister and/or solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Applicants are eligible for consideration for the prize if they apply within a three year period from the date of their admission to the bar. A person meets the three year eligibility period if the third anniversary of their admission to the roll of barristers and solicitors falls within the calendar year in respect of which the award is to be made.

Example: A practitioner who was admitted in June 2019 would be eligible to apply for, and be awarded, the Prize in 2022 even if the award was decided in September 2022; however, the practitioner would not be eligible for the 2023 award.

If any applicant considers there are exceptional circumstances affecting the timing of their application, they may request special consideration for a dispensation from the qualifying period for eligibility when they apply. Any application for special consideration to apply outside the 3 year eligibility criteria is considered on a broad discretionary basis by the New Zealand Law Society. Whilst all circumstances provided in support of special consideration are taken into account, there are no specific criteria that require consideration or satisfy eligibility outside three years. The New Zealand Law Society’s decision on any such special application is final.

Value $5,000 annually.

Applications close 5pm 1st September each year.

Please read the terms of reference then email the following application information to clearyprize@lawsociety.org.nz prior to the closing date. Note, if the closing date falls on a weekend, then you have until 5pm on the following Monday to submit your application. Applications must include the following:

• A personal statement as to why you believe you are a suitable candidate for this award, your aspirations for your future in law and how you believe you might contribute to the profession and society generally.
• A letter of nomination (only if applicable).
• Academic transcripts.
• Letter from the Dean or senior member of the Law Faculty attended on your performance and contribution to the Faculty.
• Details of awards, academic prizes, etc.
• Details of who we can expect references/testimonials from. Note letters of reference (at least two) should be emailed directly by the referee to the application email and are generally not included in your application. References should focus on aspects of your character and achievements relevant to the criteria and address your suitability for the award.
• Evidence of the date of your admission to the Bar.

Your application and supporting information should provide evidence of your:

• Character
• Leadership potential
• Academic achievement and attainments
• Community service activities, both past and present
• Reliability, progress and enthusiasm in practical legal training
• Personal interests and participation in general activities.

If possible, please also upload a good quality jpg file of a recent head and shoulders photograph. This is not part of your application but will be used for publicity purposes should you be successful. Providing a photograph is optional.

Terms of Reference

Full List of NZLF Cleary Memorial Prize recipients

2024: Rhianna Morar About the recipient
2023: Oliver Fredrickson About the recipient
2022: Phoebe Clifford About the recipient   2022: Jack Trevella About the recipient
2021: Eve Bain About the recipient
2020: Olivia Klinkum About the recipient
2019 : Jack Alexander About the recipient
2018 : Laura Hardcastle About the recipient
2017 : Rosa Polaschek About the recipient
2016 : Johanna McDavitt About the recipient
2016 : Joshua Pemberton About the recipient
2015 : Alexandra Sinclair About the recipient
2015 : Ashiq Hamid About the recipient
2014 : Seamus Woods About the recipient
2013 : Sam McMullan About the recipient
2012 : Rebecca Rose About the recipient
2012 : Catherine Harwood About the recipient
2011 : David Turner About the recipient
2010 : Matthew Reuben Windsor About the recipient
2010 : Rebecca Elvin About the recipient
2009 : Colin Francis Fife About the recipient
2009 : Jeremy Wiremu Alexander Johnson About the recipient
2008 : Jason N.E. Varuhas About the recipient
2007 : Nicholas Whittington
2006 : Malcolm Birdling
2005 : Jonathan Kilby Scragg
2004 : Alyssa Rochelle Phillips
2003 : Sacha Liesyl Wallach Green
2002 : Anna-Marie Elisabeth Kirk
2001 : Rachel Mary Carnachan
2000 : Joanna Claire Mossop
1999 : Hanna Wilberg
1998 : Anna Rawlings and Nicole Moreham
1997 : John Peterson
1996 : Simon Mount
1995 : Timothy Cameron
1994 : Jane Anderson and Campbell Walker
1993 : Marc Corlett
1992 : Joanne Maree Appleyard
1991 : Adam Stephen Ross
1990 : Paul Anthony Key
1989 : Sean Patrick Baldwin
1983 to 1988 : No awards were made
1982 : Miriam Rose Dean
1981 : Graham Laurie Lang
1980 : Michael Bruce Taggart
1979 : Michael Philip Crew
1978 : David William Mayhew
1977 : No award made
1976 : Evan Christopher Williams
1975 : No award made
1974 : John Francis Timmins
1973 : Andrew Hawksworth Brown
1972 : William Akel
1971 : Gerald Francis Kember
1970 : Austin John Forbes
1969 : John Richard Wild
1968 : John Prebble
1967 : Alan Raymond Galbraith
1966 : Donald Malcolm McRae
1965 : Andrew Patrick Charles Tipping
1964 : William David Baragwanath