Zita Casserly is the winner of the Interleges Award 2013 for her essay on Hurdles in International Insolvencies. Zita is a Law student from Ireland, currently working as a legal advisor in the Council of Europe. In the summer Zita will return to Ireland to continue her legal studies.
Zita has written the following about her experience of entering the Interleges Award 2013:
“I had heard about the Interleges Competition a few years ago, and had bookmarked the page on my computer. It was completely by accident that in early January 2013, I clicked on the page and saw that the application deadline was coming up. I knew a little about international insolvency but saw this essay as a great opportunity to increase my knowledge and hopefully write a significant contribution. I spent about two weeks researching and writing my essay. Luckily there hadn’t been too many changes in the topic since I had studied it in college.
I didn’t really think about the essay once I had sent it off in the post, so finding out that I had won and would get to present my paper at the AGM in Dubai was a huge shock and such an incredible opportunity. I hadn’t told my family or friends that I was applying so they were even more shocked but delighted when I told them about it.
I spent most of the flight to Dubai reading my speaking notes and giving my paper in my head. I was incredibly nervous as this was the first time that I have presented an academic paper to practitioners, many of whom I’m sure have had significant experiences advising clients on international insolvencies. I was given such a warm welcome by the Interleges members on the first day when I met them that a lot of my fears were alleviated.
It was great to listen to the other speakers at the conference talking about insolvency in the UAE and UK, it is such a complex and challenging process that hearing about different countries attitudes and regimes is very interesting.
Presenting the paper was a wonderful, if nerve wracking, experience and is such great exposure for young lawyers and students and is a priceless element of the Interleges award. Aside from presenting the paper, the conference and activities were wonderful and it was so generous of Interleges not only to fund my trip but also to include me so completely in their group and activities. Dubai was absolutely incredible and I can’t thank Interleges enough.”
Please click here to read a copy of Zita Casserly’s essay.