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Acknowledgements
We pay our respect to the NgunnawalNgambri custodians of the land on which the Australian National University Law Students’ Society operates. The ANU LSS acknowledges and celebrates the elders past, present, and emerging. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
vice-president (competitions): Eloise Rudge
competitions directors:
Cyan Metcalf (Mooting)
Jessica Stanford (Mooting)
Alex Luk (Negotiations)
Elaine Li (Client Interview)
Archer Pullen (Witness Examination)
Hugh Liu (External Competitions)
Thomas North (External Competitions)
publications & it director: Oliver Wiencke
Editor’s Note Eloise Rudge
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 2025/26 Competitions Guide! I hope that this guide will give you a better understanding of the numerous opportunities open to you in the world of competitions and reinforce the exciting nature of the competition experience. I have loved being involved with the Competitions Portfolio over the past two years. It has been incredibly rewarding to be able to watch law students develop transferrable legal skills and competences, all while making connections and friendships with students in their cohort and beyond.
The annual Competitions Guide allows you to hear from those who have worked tirelessly in the Competitions Portfolio over the past year, both competing and in directing the competitions. I hope that our Guide will illustrate how passionate we are about competitions, and that you will feel similarly excited about the opportunities that are presented to you, both domestically and internationally. In a degree that is frequently defined by endless readings, I expect that many of you will welcome these more interactive methods to engage with your learning!
Our four internal novice competitions (Mooting, Negotiations, Client Interview and Witness Examination) are run weekly and cater to students with no prior tertiary level legal competition experience. They are the perfect way to increase your skills and confidence in a supportive and collegial atmosphere. The senior internal competitions allow competitors to further refine their skills in this lowstakes environment. The winners of each of the senior competitions will then be invited to represent ANU at ALSA. Senior competitions take place in Semester One each year, while novice competitions are in Semester Two.
These internal competitions are the precursor to, and help to set up, our external competitions programme. This year, we have seen unprecedented ANU participation at international competitions in particular, with teams
sent to the Oxford International Property Moot, Vis Moot in Vienna, Vis East Moot in Hong Kong. In particular, ANU saw wins at the International Negotiation Competition in Japan in December last year, and at the Allen & Overy NLU Jodhpur International Deal Negotiation Competition.
This year, a key achievement of the Competitions Portfolio, and the LSS on the whole, is our new External Competitions Fund. We hope that this fund will increase the accessibility of competitions, improving the overall nature and level of our external competitors. Totalling $30,000 across the year, the fund will provide greater support for students competing both domestically and in international competitions.
A particular highlight for me this year has been the ALSA Conference (ALSA), this year jointly hosted in Canberra by the ANU Law Student’s Society and the University of Canberra. Alongside LSS President Alex Bako, I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to engage with Law Student Societies and Associations from Australia and New Zealand, and learn about different initiatives they are implementing that we may be able to replicate (as well as attend events at Parliament House and the National Museum!). Taking place as I write this note, ALSA also sees exceptional competitors from our internal competitions given the chance to compete against other Australian teams. Our ALSA contingent this year contains: Mia Booth, Thomas North, Chith Weliamuna, E Wen Wong, James Jackson, Riley Dowd, Nyah Grey, Luke Bentley, Mairead O’ConnellLacy, Venni Baliyan, Mia Hawke and Archie Horneman-Wren. I wish them all the best of luck this week. Congratulations also to ANU Law Students who are on the 2025 ALSA Committee: Hugh Liu, Jasmine Burton, Cian Bowes and Sophie McBeth. They have dedicated a lot of time and effort to ensure its smooth running!
I would encourage anyone interested to consider being involved not only with competitions, but with the LSS itself. As you will see in the guide, involvement with competitions has taken many ANU law students around the world, providing them with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
For me, the opportunity to engage with other law students outside of classes has been valuable, and I am very grateful to have made many friends and connections through the LSS.
On behalf the ANU LSS, I would like to extend a big thank you to all our sponsors, who support our internal competitions and the publication of this guide. Highlights of the competitions calendar frequently include the unique opportunity to host our internal grand finals at the offices of Allens, Ashurst, Corrs and Maddocks. A thank you also to all the judges, both students and professionals, and the coaches, who volunteer their time to help the next generation of competitors.
I want to finish by extending my gratitude to everyone who helped in the creation of this guide. All of the assistance and submissions that we received are very much appreciated. In particular, I wish to thank the Competitions Team: Cyan Metcalf and Jessica Stanford (Mooting Directors), Alex Luk (Negotiations Director), Elaine Li (Client Interview Director), Archer Pullen (Witness Examination Director) and Hugh Liu and Thomas North (External Competitions Directors). Their commitment to the competitions programme ensures its continued success and smooth running, ensuring that competitors can consistently make the most of these opportunities.
Finally, a thank you to the Publications & IT Director, Oliver Wiencke, for the endless time he has dedicated in helping to design, create and edit this guide.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns at lsscompetitions@anu. edu.au, or if you simply just want a chat about competitions! Best of luck for the semester ahead, and for your competitions journey.
Eloise Rudge vice-president (competitions)
The Competitions Portfolio
Who are we?
The competitions portfolio is the largest team in the LSS consisting of: one Vice-President (Competitions), four Competitions Directors, and two External Competitions Directors. If you have any general enquiries about competitions, please direct them to the Vice-President (Competitions). Once you are involved in a specific competition, any questions or concerns arising in that competition are best directed to the relevant director. Our contact details can be found below.
What do we do?
Our role is to provide law students at ANU with opportunities to expand their interests in the law beyond the tutorial room and lecture theatre into the practical sides of the law, whether this be experiencing a simulated scenario where teams undertake negotiations to achieve the best outcome for their client or adducing favourable facts to their case in the process of witness examination.
We seek to facilitate a smooth-running competition that spans five weeks including three preliminary rounds, a semi-final, and grand final round. Our internal competitions consist of Mooting, Negotiations, Client Interview, and Witness Examination. We offer both Novice and Senior levels, with the former tailored to students who have no prior experience in a particular competition before. Novice competitions are held in Semester Two. We are here to provide and assist you in your competition endeavours. If you are ever hesitant in getting involved or looking for some guidance, please feel free to send us an email and we can point you in the right direction.
How can you get involved in the LSS Competitions Portfolio?
If you have a keen interest in competitions, we strongly encourage you to run for a position in the competitions portfolio through annual elections held in October. Joining the LSS and Competitions provides you with the opportunity to meet some fantastic judges and practitioners in the field of law, as well as an avenue to meet like-minded law students at ANU.
Cyan Metcalf and Jessica Stanford lssmooting@anu.edu.au
negotiations director Alex Luk lssnegotiation@anu.edu.au
client interview director Elaine Li lssinterview@anu.edu.au
witness examination director
Archer Pullen lsswitex@anu.edu.au
external competitions directors
Hugh Liu and Thomas North lssexternalcompetitions@anu.edu.au
Competitions Timeline
Mooting sign-ups close
Mooting problem question released. Negotiations, Witness Examination, Client Interview sign-ups close
Competitions start Round One
Round Two
Round Three
Make-up Round
workshops/sessions
Competitions Celebration 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12
Introductory session
Mooting Session One
Mooting Session Two; Negotiations, Witness Examination, Client Interview Session One
How do I get involved in Competitions?
Novice Competitions: Semester 2 2025
In Semester 2 2025, we will be running our internal novice competitions. The four novice competitions are: Mooting, Negotiations, Client Interview and Witness Examination. The novice competitions are aimed at students with no experience in tertiary level competitions, providing them with a supportive and accessible environment to experience legal advocacy for the first time. All competitors will therefore be beginners, and problems used will usually only refer to FAL and Torts, ensuring that first year law students are able to compete.
Novice competitors will be supported through our workshop programme. Greatly expanded in 2025, we are running at least one introductory session for each competition to better support students as they begin their competition journey. Further, competitors will be supported by drop-in sessions that will take place after Round 1, allowing them to receive feedback following their first experience competing.
Senior Competitions: Semester 1 2026
Senior Competitions will run again in Semester 1 2026, and also include Mooting, Negotiations, Client Interview and Witness Examination. They are designed to be the next step for students after previously participating in the equivalent novice competition. It is usually a requirement to have previously completed the relevant novice competition or equivalent, before being able to compete in Senior. Senior competitions operate at a higher level than novice, allowing students to continue to hone and develop their skills and experience.
External Competitions
The ANU LSS is excited to support many external competitions opportunities. External Competitions Opportunities are advertised on our Facebook throughout the year, and students are encouraged to apply. Although not an inherent requirement, precedence will almost always be given to students who have completed novice and senior internal competitions. However, we will also endeavour to provide a wide range of students with the opportunity to compete in external competitions.
In 2025, we have launched a new External Competitions Fund, enabling us to greatly increase our competition spending. This fund has up to $30,000 allocated to it for 2025. Registration fees will be covered for all competitors in an agreed list of competitions, while additional funding will be provided for travel expenses on an equitable basis. We hope that the greater availability of funding internal competitions will increase their accessibility, and in turn ANU’s success.
Mooting
Mooting involves a mock court case where the case goes to appeal. As an appeal case, agreed facts are given to both parties at the beginning of the competition. Similar to problem question assignments at law school, the teams must research the relevant areas of law to make submissions to the court on what the law is and how it applies to their particular circumstances.
Competitors are also required to answer any questions raised by the bench during moots. The question and draw are released a week prior to the first round and the competition typically runs for approximately one and a half hours.
Directors’ Note Cyan Metcalf and Jessica Stanford Mooting
Introduce yourselves
Hey! I’m Cyan Metcalf, one of your LSS Competitions Directors for this year. I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Laws and International Relations. The highlight of my studies so far has been LAWS1201: Foundations of Australian Law, and I am also psyched for LAWS2249: Legal Theory as I have always loved reading philosophy. In my downtime, I love hiking, camping, canyoning, caving, climbing, skiing, and kayaking.
My name is Jessica Stanford, and I’m a secondyear studying Law (Honours)/ International Security Studies. I love the colour red and Australian Public Law has been my favourite law course so far, due to its insights into the role of the state, the law and their boundaries and intersections.
Can you explain what novice mooting involves?
Cyan: A moot is a simulated legal proceeding in which students act as counsel in a fictitious appellate case—that is, an appeal to a finding of a lower court. The two opposing sides are the appellant, who seeks to overturn the lower court’s ruling, and the respondent, who argues for it to be upheld. Teams are required to address legal issues arising from the fictitious judgment. As advocates, they research the relevant law, prepare arguments for their assigned party, and submit these arguments in two stages: first as written submissions, and then as oral submissions presented before a judge. Each team is given 30 minutes to speak, shared between two speakers—the Senior Counsel and the Junior Counsel— who divide the legal issues between them. Mooting differs from debating or public speaking. It is a formal, structured dialogue between counsel and the bench. Judges may interrupt at any point to ask a question, test arguments, or seek
clarification, requiring competitors to think quickly and respond persuasively.
What has been the highlight of the mooting competitions calendar so far?
Jessica: Definitely the senior mooting competition! It was so incredible to see the level of preparation done by competitors, the enthusiasm of the judges, and the attendance of spectators. Besides that, it was also seeing the turnout of competitors every week and the confidence and team spirit they cultivated over the weeks. Furthermore, the Grand Finals were a super interesting and technical display of highly polished contract law advocacy! Hosted here at the ANU, two senior dispute litigation lawyers from Ashurst, our sponsor, kindly joined our panel of three judges to pummel our finalists with challenging questions before rewarding them with much praise and feedback, highly impressed by the quality of the moot. What are you looking forward to in the second semester of the mooting calendar?
Jessica: The Novice Mooting Competition, of course! It is such a fun, intellectually stimulating way to get involved with the law school community while developing your skills of written and oral advocacy. Participating is a perfect way to foster academic growth and new friendships, as well gain valuable exposure to what life may look like post law school. Furthermore, our wonderful judges have a lot of experience with both mooting and the law, and hearing tips and tricks from them is invaluable. Competitions are also great for meeting other law students and develop connections with those in other years as well.
What is the best way to get involved with mooting?
Cyan: Mooting can be daunting. You are given a week to prepare for the moot. You have to scour through a lot of precedent, write up a full submission, and then present it to a judge who will likely interrupt and question you. You also need to master court etiquette and legal jargon while staying clear and concise. It can be a steep learning curve.
Here are some tips:
1. Research and prepare intelligently. The best way to persuade a judge is to fully understand the arguments against your position. Anticipate and develop counter-arguments for every point you make so that you are not caught off guard during questioning. Find the case that says the opposite of what you’re saying, and say why it is wrong or distinguishable. Relatedly, scrutinise every assumption and claim you make. Why are you relying on that case? Why is that action negligent? Research is the backbone of effective mooting.
2. Understand and explain your structure clearly. Judges easily get lost or bored by submissions when they proceed as an unbroken string of arguments. Think to yourself—which arguments do you need to win? Which arguments are in the alternative?
3. Facts are sexier than law. Wherever possible, find points of agreement on the law with your opponent and make your case about why the facts do or do not meet that test. This saves you time setting out legal principles; prevents judges from asking you tricky questions about slightly divergent authorities; and makes your bench much less likely to fall asleep.
4. Enjoy yourself and engage authentically. Mooting is stressful— particularly when you get in your own head about it. Focus on relaxing and enjoying the experience.
Why do you enjoy being involved with competitions?
Jessica: Engaging with ANU’s vibrant law student community has been one of the most meaningful and enjoyable aspects of my time here. It’s a space that constantly evolves, challenges, and inspires… and being able to give is incredibly fulfilling! Whether it’s organising initiatives or simply sharing in the energy and drive of fellow students, I find immense joy in contributing to a community that continues to enrich my personal and academic journey.
Advice from the Champions Ashna Sahi, Francesca Boardman, and Luke McNamara
Why did you get involved in the mooting competitions ?
We saw that many of our friends had done mooting and really enjoyed it. It is also a great opportunity to test your legal skills in a different (non-assessed) context. It pushed us to do further independent research into the moot topic (in our case, contracts) and think about the law on our feet!
How did you prepare for your competition?
Preparing for a moot involves lots of preparation, research, and discussion. We all read the competition and identified the key contentious issues. After that, we split off to research certain issues and come back with the most relevant case law which might support (or damage) our case.
We then spent lots of time discussing (and disagreeing about) our argument: it takes many minds to make a good moot.
Our preparation also involved identifying the weakest parts of our case and how we could strengthen them or, alternatively, how some other factor would be persuasive enough to overcome that weakness.
What are your tips for success?
The main rule is to Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS). Often, a judge will be encountering the problem before them for the first time at the moot. You will need to speak (really) slowly and clearly, with lots of signposts, to really engage the judge intellectually. If you are speaking too quickly, the judge may miss parts of your argument and won’t be able to process everything you are saying.
In our moot, each side had 30 minutes to give oral argument. A really complex argument which dips into the finer points of the law will usually be really hard to convey in that time. Don’t get trapped too deep into research which leads nowhere (especially random obiter dicta which have very little precedential weight, even
if Denning MR said something that seems really on point in [1977] QB 966). In fact, many introductory moot problems are relatively simple law but applied complex or ambiguous facts. If you can keep your argument simple and clear, it will be more persuasive.
A good way to check if your argument is straightforward is to look at your written submissions. If they are full of blocks of text with no gaps between them, you are probably doing too much.
What advice would you give your novice self?
Keep trying! Our placing in the Novice Comp was in the middle of the pack, but we came back for more.
Also, don’t let the moot consume your life: it will suck away time if you let it! Remember mooting doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. It will be challenging but should also be fun and rewarding.
Advice from the Runners-Up
Hugh Liu, Thomas North, and Mia Booth
Why did you get involved in mooting?
We decided to get involved in mooting because it was something that many of our peers were participating in, and we were curious to see what it could offer. Mooting stands out for its ability to open up numerous external opportunities, whether through networking, exposure to real-world legal issues, or potential career connections. Recognizing that it could play a significant role in shaping my legal career, we didn’t want to miss the chance to gain these experiences and further develop my skills in a competitive, practical setting.
How did you prepare for your competition?
Mooting demands a significant amount of preparation, particularly in understanding both the relevant area of law and the specific facts of the case. As a novice mooter, I began by thoroughly reviewing my torts notes and structuring the key arguments we intended to present. I then conducted in-depth research into the facts of the case, seeking out less obvious but potentially relevant cases that might strengthen our position.
Fortunately for my team, we discovered a case with strikingly similar facts, which proved to be an invaluable resource. This case not only provided useful insights for our arguments but also allowed us to explore the wider legal context. We analysed the judgments it referred to, examined secondary sources that discussed its outcome, and identified subsequent cases that cited it. This strategic approach allowed us to build a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the case at hand in a relatively time-efficient manner, ultimately giving us a distinct advantage in our preparation.
What are your tips for success?
Our key tips for success in mooting include the importance of having analogous cases at hand, even if they fall outside the scope of your course material. These cases can offer valuable insights and strengthen your arguments, providing a broader legal context that enhances your position.
Another essential tip is the value of speaking slowly and clearly. It’s crucial to take your time to ensure that each
point is articulated with precision. Unlike debating, where vocal delivery often involves strong emotional emphasis, mooting requires a more measured and deliberate style. This same approach applies when responding to questions from the judge. Take the time to fully comprehend the question before formulating your response, allowing you to deliver a thoughtful and well-considered answer rather than rushing to speak.
What advice would you give your novice self?
Focus on what’s important within the moot and devote time accordingly. Often, you’ll get the urge to respond to every disagreeable point your learned friends try to make. In doing so, you might lose sight of the points on which the case really turns. The same goes for rebuttal, and the mistake of trying to cram in as many words into your two- or threeminute allotment as you possibly can. Speak slowly and focus on what matters. Convince the judge on which points matter and why, and then also why you win those points.
Sample Submission for a Moot
IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES SUPREME COURT BETWEEN
HESTON PRESTON (Appellant) and BENNY MARTIN (Respondent)
(A) SUMMARY OF FACTS
1. The Appellant, an executive chef at ‘The Fat Drake’, was approached by the Respondent, a celebrity chef, to feature on his television show. The Respondent would arrive on October 29.
2. The Appellant was aware of the Respondent’s use of physical and verbal intimidation for the purposes of the show
… etc …
(B) APPELLANT’S SUBMISSIONS
1. The Respondent’s holding of a plate above his head created reasonable grounds for imminent fear of battery and the Resondent had requisite intention.
2. The Trial Judge was incorrect in finding no battery occured as the harm was direct and intentional.
… etc …
Submission One
1. The Resondent’s holding of a plate above his head created reasonable grounds for imminent fear of battery and the Resondent had requisite intention.
1.1 The Resondent intended, through his aggresive conduct, to place in the Appellant’s mind fear of battery.1
1.2 To constitute assault, the apprehension of imminent harm in the victim’s mind must be objectively reasonable. Though the Appellant had a particular predisposition to being fearful in the circumstances, the conduct of the Respondent was such that any reasonable person would have had apprehension of imminent harm.
[Subsequent submissions will follow the same format as Submission One]
Respondent’s List of Authorities
A. Articles / Books / Reports
B. Cases
C. Legislation
1 Rixon v Star City Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 265 at [58] per Sheller JA.
Mooting, a simulated court proceeding, stands as a cornerstone of legal education, offering an unparalleled opportunity to hone skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
It challenges students to step into the role of an advocate, to zealously defend a legal position, and to develop the creative, persuasive arguments essential for a successful legal career. While the prospect of standing before a judge can be daunting, understanding the fundamentals of preparation, presentation, and judicial engagement can transform a nerve-wracking experience into a rewarding one.
Part 1: The Foundation of Victory Research and Written Submissions
Success in mooting is built long before you ever enter the courtroom. It begins with meticulous preparation, a timeintensive but non-negotiable component of building a solid legal argument.
Crafting Compelling Written Submissions
Your written submissions are the judge’s first introduction to your case, and this first impression is critically important. Judges will generally read your submissions before the moot begins, so they should serve as a clear, concise, and well-structured outline of the arguments you intend to make orally. The goal is to ‘prime’ the judge, highlighting the reasoning and cases you will rely on.
These submissions should be detailed enough that you could skip points during your oral presentation if time becomes short, but they should not be dense, lengthy essays. Avoid long blocks of text and overly complex sentences. Clarity and readability are paramount. Crucially, do not attempt to be strategically vague or hide key arguments from your opponents; in doing so, you are also hiding them from the judge, making your oral arguments harder to follow.
Finally, technical precision is vital. Submissions must be free of typos and strictly adhere to the Australian Guide
to Legal Citation (AGLC). While painful, AGLC compliance is non-negotiable, and judges will penalise teams for errors. The legal interpretation you advance must also be consistent with the provided bench book, which serves as the definitive law for the competition.
Part 2: The Art of Oral Advocacy
While written submissions lay the groundwork, the oral presentation is where your case comes to life. Judges are looking for a combination of persuasive style, cogent argumentation, and unwavering professionalism.
It’s Mooting, Not Debating
One of the most common pitfalls for first-time mooters is treating the exercise like a debate. It is not. Avoid aggressive rhetoric and direct attacks on your opponents. Phrases like “my learned friend’s submission was severely flawed” have no place in a moot court. Instead of focusing on their weaknesses, your task is to demonstrate to the bench why your interpretation of the law or authority is the one that should be preferred. This doesn’t mean you ignore your opponent’s case; in fact, it’s essential to anticipate their arguments and fashion your own submissions in response.
Argument, Style, and Professionalism
An advocate’s ultimate goal is to convince. A convincing argument is built on correct legal precedent, strong logical reasoning, and a thoughtful consideration of the consequences of your desired result. However, complexity is not always effective. Judges have not spent weeks immersed in the topic, so a beautifully nuanced argument may be lost. The most effective case is often one that is clear, easy to follow, and ‘aggressively sensible.’
Your delivery is just as important as your content. Judges want to hear a confident presenter who speaks in a calm, slow, and clear manner. This is a skill that can be learned through practice. Professionalism extends beyond your speech; you must dress appropriately, arrive on time, and remain polite and courteous to the judges and your opponents throughout the competition.
Learning the Legalese
Moot court has its own set of formalities that must be observed. Master this unique language to demonstrate respect and competence.
• Address judges as “Your Honour” or “Your Honours.”
• Refer to your arguments as “submissions” (e.g., “we submit that...”), never “I think that...”
• Your teammates are your “learned colleagues” and your opponents are your “learned friends.”
• When quoting a judge, use their formal title, such as “His Honour Justice X.”
• At the start of your speech, formally request to “dispense with full citations” to allow you to refer to cases by their common names.
Part 3: Engaging with the Bench
Mooting is not a monologue; it is a dialogue with the judge. A significant portion of your score will come from how you respond to their questions.
Do not become flustered if a question interrupts your flow. Maintain your composure and be prepared to be flexible with the structure of your submission. If a judge asks about a point you intended to cover later, provide a brief answer and note that you will elaborate on it at the appropriate time.
When answering, be direct and signpost your reasoning (e.g., “Your Honour, there are three reasons why that is the correct approach...”). Anticipate questions in advance by practicing with your teammates and prepare responses for the weaker points in your case. If a judge seems unreceptive to a point, don’t labour it; simply move on. Should a judge throw you a ‘red herring’ (a question that seems irrelevant) engage with it briefly but politely explain why it is largely immaterial to the issue at hand. If you genuinely don’t know the answer to a question, it is far better to say, “I’m sorry Your Honour, but we cannot assist the Bench in this matter,” than to bluff.
Ultimately, mooting is a journey of continuous improvement. You will have rough rounds, but each one is a learning experience. Debrief with your team, embrace the challenge, and remember that it is better to make mistakes in the supportive environment of a moot court than in a real one. By dedicating yourself to thorough preparation and embracing the art of advocacy, you will develop invaluable skills for any career you choose to pursue.
Negotiations
Negotiation is the bread and butter of a lawyer’s work. The majority of legal disputes are resolved at the negotiation stage, which usually occurs before litigation. Teams are assigned to represent different parties to a legal dispute and are given a common set of facts, as well as specific confidential information about their client. In teams of two students acting as solicitors, competitors strive to achieve an outcome that satisfies the best interests of their respective parties. The negotiation sessions last for 40 minutes, after which teams will each have a short reflective period where they can discuss their performance and take questions from the judge. This reflection period is also assessed.
Director’s Note
Alex Luk
Introduce yourself
Hi! I’m Alex, a second-year Law/ Environmental Science student.
My favourite law subjects are torts and criminal law. I love reading (skimming) the wacky cases even though they were my lowest scoring courses. My fun fact? It took me five attempts to get my driver’s license… but I swear I’m a competent driver (my friends might say otherwise!).
Can you explain what novice negotiations involve?
Novice Negotiations is a beginnerfriendly competition designed to simulate lawyer negotiations: perfect for anyone who’s never done it before.
You’ll work in teams of two (choose your own partner or get allocated one). Each week, you’ll receive a common set of facts plus confidential information specific to your client. Then, on Tuesday nights, you’ll go head-to-head with another team to reach a settlement.
Negotiations last 40 minutes and include an optional mid-round break so you can reassess your strategy. Afterward, each team reflects on their performance in front of a judge, which makes it a great learning loop.
You’ll be marked on flexibility, rapport, ethics, and self-analysis, so it’s not about swindling your opponent, but building a strong, principled negotiation strategy.
Want to know more? Come to our Info Night in Week 3 or reach out to me at lssnegotiations@anu.edu.au.
What has been the highlight of the negotiations calendar so far?
The highlight from my last Semester? The grand finals of the senior competition, held at the Maddocks Law Firm. The experience of being inside the firm, speaking with five Maddocks judges, and watching a seriously high-quality negotiation play out was incredible. Add in the free charcuterie, drinks, and a buzzing audience- definitely my highlight from the comps calendar. I also
hear on the grapevine there might be a big celebration at the end of this comps calendar too.
What are you looking forward to in the second semester of negotiations calendar?
This semester, I’m excited to see how everyone tackles some interesting scenarios. Witnessing first hand how wacky some settlement strategies are, I’m keen to see the creativity and strategy of new competitors. Note, flexibility is one of the key criteria in the marking guidelines and so it is encouraged to stray from purely legal solutions and think creatively!
What is the best way to get involved with negotiations?
The best way to get involved is absolutely not to join novice negotiations. It definitely isn’t specifically designed for those with no negotiation experience. It definitely doesn’t have Maddocks lawyers
volunteering as judges who can give extremely valuable feedback and share their experiences. Novice negotiations also doesn’t provide a great environment for learning and isn’t a great way to meet fellow keen law students. I under no circumstances would highly recommend novice negotiations.
Why do you enjoy being involved with competitions?
One word: Experience.
Law competitions bring the law to life in a way classes can’t. One thing that is always touted by lawyers is the need for practical experience. They say that studying law and practicing law are very different things. They’re right, but it’s hard to get that experience as a student. Competitions are great for this. You learn practical skills, meet passionate students, and get a taste of what being a lawyer really involves— and yes, it looks great on a resume too. But it’s also really fun so get involved!
Advice from the Champions E Wen Wong and James Jackson Negotiations
Why did you get involved in negotiations?
We started negotiating (in the competitions context!) relatively late in our degrees. A few of our friends had competed before us and seemed to enjoy it. We were also drawn to the opportunity to develop skills you don’t learn in the classroom, but that are highly important in practice: indeed, the vast majority of legal disputes are settled out of court.
How did you prepare for your competition?
Before each round, we thoroughly read the problem scenario, identified our client’s interests, considered key questions that may arise on each side, and developed a high-level agenda to
structure the negotiation. We dedicated time to reflecting on each round and using feedback to refine our strategy and approaches to future problems.
What are your tips for success?
It’s helpful to negotiate with a teammate you already know, trust, and can constructively disagree with. Good teamwork is important in both the planning phase and the negotiation itself, and a great teammate makes the competition all the more enjoyable!
Don’t overlook the reflection. It’s a great way to demonstrate how you planned for the negotiation and to explain your reasoning for certain approaches, even (and perhaps especially) when those approaches don’t go to plan.
What advice would you give your novice self?
Don’t sweat a ‘disaster’ negotiation: what you learn from it is more valuable than any disappointment you might feel at the time. It might even give you something to laugh about down the track. Negotiation theory is also useful and interesting!
The ability to negotiate effectively is one of the most crucial skills in a lawyer’s toolkit. While courtroom advocacy captures the imagination, the vast majority of legal disputes—an estimated 98 out of 100—are resolved not by trial, but through negotiation.
Competitions offer an invaluable opportunity to develop this foundational skill, encouraging creative problemsolving and an empathetic approach to conflict.
Part 1: Preparation
Success in a negotiation is built long before you enter the room. Judges can immediately tell when a team has not prepared, making this stage the single most important determinant of your outcome.
Know the Facts and Your Client’s Position
Your preparation begins with the provided confidential facts. Read them repeatedly for a thorough grasp of every detail. This familiarity is crucial for adapting to new information and offering creative suggestions during the negotiation.
From the facts, you must crystallise your client’s position. Work closely with your partner to identify your client’s core interests and priorities, the minimum outcome they are willing to accept, and the areas in which you have room to compromise.
This involves establishing your BATNA, or ‘Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement.’ Your BATNA is the critical line below which you are better off walking away from the table than accepting a deal. Knowing this threshold prevents you from settling for an outcome that is worse than your client’s alternative.
Strategise and Set the Agenda
A negotiation is a team sport.
Before entering the room, you and your partner must have an explicit understanding of your shared strategy. Plan which team member will take the lead on specific issues and be even more clear with each other about your priorities than your client was with you. You won’t win on every single point, so knowing what you can and cannot concede is vital.
Preparing an agenda is a key part of this strategy. An agenda provides structure, helps manage the limited time effectively, and demonstrates to the judge that you are prepared. Having one is critical to guide the discussion and ensure you don’t run out of time before addressing the most important issues.
Part 2: Execution and Tactics
With a solid foundation of preparation, you can execute your plan with confidence. Success in this phase hinges on a delicate balance of listening, creativity, control, and professionalism.
The Superpower of Listening
A common mistake novice negotiators make is talking too much. You do not win a negotiation by filling the available time with your own words. The most important tip is simple: ask open-ended questions and actively listen to the answers.
The goal is to understand the other party’s genuine interests and what the conflict truly boils down to. Rather than assuming you know what they want, listen carefully. A powerful technique is ‘reflecting back,’ which involves paraphrasing what you’ve heard to confirm your understanding and show that you are engaged.
Creative Problem-Solving and Flexibility
A negotiation should not be consumed by conflict and attributing blame. While you must establish a common understanding of the facts, the vital stage is generating creative solutions. Enter the negotiation with as many potential solutions as possible, thinking ‘outside the box.’ Consider what each party could hypothetically bring to the table beyond money, such as unique skills or relationships.
The key is to find options that are of high value to the other party but are cheap for your client to give.
How to Negotiate
This creative process requires adaptability and flexibility. A stubborn team will likely reach an impasse. Judges mark competitors higher when they demonstrate a desire and ability to be flexible, adapting their strategy in response to new information to achieve at least some of their client’s core interests.
Controlling the Narrative with Professionalism
A standout competitor is one who can control the direction of the discussion. This doesn’t mean ignoring the other side; it means being ready to lead with your research and a firm grasp of the facts. However, how you carry yourself counts for a lot. A professional and courteous disposition, combined with a composed and reasonable tone, is essential for building the trust needed for a positive outcome. A fundamental legal skill is the capacity to disagree politely.
Part 3: Managing the Process and Outcome
Careful management of time, information, and incremental steps toward agreement is key.
Navigating Conflict and Using Your Tools
Avoid getting bogged down in contentious details. Spend some time on what facts can be agreed upon, but then it is okay to ‘agree to disagree’ on certain points and move towards solutions. You will not be able to bludgeon the other side into admitting they were wrong. Be willing to concede points that do not go to the heart of your claim.
Use the tools at your disposal strategically. Each team typically has one short break; use it to confer with your partner, reassess your stance, or formulate a counter-offer. Your secret facts are there for a reason: use them to frame targeted questions or test the credibility of the other side’s position.
Securing Agreement
As you progress, solidify any consensus reached. Whenever you come to an agreement on a sub-issue, note it down and state it clearly to the other team (e.g., ‘So we agree that...’). This creates a record of progress. The person who drafts the final points of agreement can often phrase them in a way that is most beneficial for their client.
Client Interview
Acting as solicitors, teams will receive a brief summary of the facts and must aim to extract as much information as possible from the client through relevant and precise questions. Teams consist of two students acting as solicitors. A new question/ legal brief will be sent to students every week. Following the client interview, competitors must summarise the gathered information, give advice and come to a conclusion. At the end of the interview, there will be a reflection period for the teams and client. Each round lasts forty-five minutes per team.
Director’s Note Elaine Li
Introduce yourself
Hi, my name is Elaine and I’m in my second year of Law/International Security.
My favourite course would probably be Torts, because I was lucky enough to have the legendary Jo Ford! I’m also really looking forward to International Law and Legal Theory this semester. A fun fact about me is that I run an Instagram page reviewing Canberra’s coffees!
Can you explain what novice client interview involves?
Client Interview is one of the best competitions due to its low time commitment and high reward. It provides an opportunity for competitors to practice their professional communication and teamwork skills while refining their legal issue spotting skills in a low-stakes environment.
Competing in teams of two, teams will receive a ‘memo’ a few days prior to the round. The memo simulates a brief email informing the solicitor of a new client wishing to seek legal advice, and will include some facts that point toward what the potential issue and area of law may be.
On the evening of the round, teams get 30 minutes to greet the new ‘client’ who will played by an actor from Law Revue, and try to understand their issue before offering preliminary legal advice. The team will also be scored on a 10 minute reflection afterward, and finally the judge (typically a practising legal professional, ANU academic or later-year experienced student) will provide feedback.
Due to the limited facts provided in the memo, effective client interviewing hinges on strategically formulating the right questions to elicit relevant and insightful information from the client. This is because there may be red herrings that are ultimately irrelevant to the issue at hand, or secret facts which require deeper prodding to fully understand the entire issue. While the main purpose is to provide preliminary legal advice, it is also important for competitors to provide ethical advice and not mislead the client.
What has been the highlight of the client interview calendar so far?
The highlight of the client interview competition is visiting our sponsor’s office in Sydney for the Grand final! Corrs Westgarth Chambers’ office has a beautiful harbour view, and it was an amazing experience to travel there and be so generously hosted. It was awesome to hear from the panel of judges, who are practicing lawyers, offer valuable advice and draw similarities between the scenario to their experiences of what happens in real life.
What are you looking forward to in the second semester of client interview?
I’m looking forward to seeing new people getting involved in the client interview comp and watching everyone improve and develop their skills with each round! It’s lots of fun and I hope the competitors enjoy it and gain lots from it.
What is the best way to get involved with client interview?
The best way to get involved is definitely to sign up! Even if you’re unsure, everyone else is equally foreign to it, plus you’ll get to have fun and learn along the way!! If you want to get an idea of what it’s like, feel free to have a peep on YouTube, and attend our introductory session!
Why do you enjoy being involved with competitions?
LSS Competitions are a great way to gain exposure to the more practical side of law and complement your theoretical knowledge. Being able to apply the torts principles you’ve learnt in a fun lowstakes environment not only helps with your legal knowledge, but also allows you to get a taste of your future career! Every round of client interview is different, so it’s a lot of fun to work through the different scenarios and try to improve each round.
Advice from the Champions Hugh Liu and Thomas North
Why did you get involved in the client interview competitions?
Client interviewing allows you to practice the essential skill of gathering information, which is crucial for any legal career. Rather than listening to a client’s story: ask the right questions, assess the information, and identify key legal issues. This is an invaluable skill that directly applies to real-world legal practice, and why Tom and I decided to participate in the Client Interview competition. In my opinion, what makes this competition particularly appealing is the combination of a relatively low time commitment and the opportunity to develop a highly personable and client-focused skillset. Unlike some other competitions that may require extensive preparation or involve more formal, high-pressure environments, Client Interview focuses on empathy, communication and the creation of a more personable and calm space for the client.
How did you prepare for your competition?
Preparing for a client interview competition begins once you receive the prompt, typically a few days before the interview date. The prompt is usually brief, often providing little more than the client’s name and a vague outline of their situation. My teammate and I start by brainstorming potential issues the client might be facing, as there’s usually not enough detail to draw definitive conclusions right away. Once we have a general idea of the area of law involved, we review our notes on that subject and conduct some further research into the topic/focus of the question. Thankfully, it’s usually an area we’ve already studied before, such as contracts or torts, which helps streamline our preparation and time commitment for the competition.
What are your tips for success?
One of the most underestimated aspects of the Client Interview competition is the importance of creating a positive, supportive environment for the client. While offering sound legal advice is crucial, judges also award points for factors like the atmosphere you establish and how effectively you draw out relevant information from the client. This means
that encouraging the client to speak freely and actively listening to them can make a significant difference in your score. Aiming to reflect real world scenarios, the initial consult that CI aims to recreate is all about bringing the client on board and providing preliminary advice, as opposed to solving the client’s problem completely within the 30-minute timeframe.
Another key tip is to avoid rushing into giving advice before you’ve gathered all the necessary information. While it’s important to provide some guidance on next steps, there’s no need to have a fully worked-out legal argument at the outset. Instead, focus on extracting as much relevant detail as possible, ensuring that any advice you do offer is both accurate and truly helpful to the client. Take your time, ask probing questions and develop a unique style with your partner as there truly is no one correct way to interview a client.
What advice would you give your novice self?
Of all the competitions, Client Interview is unique in that the enjoyment and
comfort of the participants directly impact the quality of the interaction and, ultimately, the scores. When you and your partner genuinely enjoy the process, it naturally translates into a more positive and engaging atmosphere for the client. This relaxed environment fosters better communication, allowing the client to feel more at ease, which is crucial for eliciting the information needed to provide effective legal advice.
As a result, this more personable and approachable approach often leads to higher scores. It’s also important not to overthink the need for a rigid or overly formal atmosphere, as might be expected in other competitions like mooting.
In Client Interview, the focus is on building rapport with the client and demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, rather than adhering to strict formalities.
So, instead of stressing about maintaining a ‘perfectly professional’ setting, focus on creating an environment where the client feels heard, understood, and comfortable. This will not only improve the quality of your performance but also have a direct impact on your scores.
Of all the skills a lawyer must master, the client interview is arguably the most fundamental. It is the starting point for virtually all legal work, a pivotal moment that can build trust and set the foundation for a successful relationship.
Recruiting firms consistently value this skill, seeing it as a key indicator of a graduate’s potential. For law students, client interviewing competitions provide an invaluable, low-pressure environment to develop the practical soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, that are essential for any professional career.
Part 1: The First Five Minutes
The first few moments of an interview are crucial for earning the client’s trust. A well-executed opening demonstrates professionalism and reassures an oftenanxious client.
Preparation and the Greeting
Before the client arrives, you and your partner should have prepared an agenda. This ‘road map’ for the interview helps manage expectations and ensures all key points are covered. The greeting itself should be warm and sincere, not robotic.
Listen carefully and respond to the moment, rather than rigidly adhering to a script. Make the client feel at ease, but also show you are prepared by referencing their initial contact: “We understand you’ve called about an issue with your neighbour; thank you for coming in to speak with us.”
A technique for building immediate trust is to provide the client with a ‘road map’ at the very beginning of the consultation. Before engaging with the facts, outline the structure of your meeting. You might say, “First, we’ll cover some housekeeping matters like confidentiality. Then, we’ll give you an opportunity to explain your situation, and we’ll ask some questions to make sure we understand. Finally, we’ll discuss your potential options and the
Fundamentals of Client Interview
next steps.” This simple act demystifies the process, manages the client’s expectations, and gives you a framework to gently guide the conversation back to if it deviates or digresses.
Essential Housekeeping:
The ‘Three Cs’
Once the client is settled, you must address three standard housekeeping matters. Doing this properly fulfils your professional obligations.
Confidentiality: Reassure the client that the interview is confidential, while also explaining the limited exceptions to this rule.
Costs: State clearly that the first consultation is free. You can briefly mention your firm’s standard fee structure for any future work.
Conflicts: Let the client know that you will perform a formal conflict check after the interview and will contact them if an issue is identified.
Part 2: The Core of the Interview
With the formalities complete, the focus shifts to gathering facts. This process requires a strategic blend of questioning, active listening, and empathy to uncover the client’s full story.
The Art of Questioning and Active Listening
A common trap is hunting for an elusive ‘special fact’ instead of listening to the client, who provides crucial ‘breadcrumbs’ of information that may seem insignificant at first. The key is to employ a conscious mix of open and closed questions. Start with broad, open questions (who, what, when, where, why, how) to encourage the client to tell their story. It’s also vital to ask early on what their ideal outcome is.
Once you have a general understanding, use targeted, closed questions to probe deeper, clarify details, and establish a concrete timeline. A powerful active listening technique is ‘reflecting back’: periodically pausing to paraphrase what you have heard. This confirms your understanding, allows the client to correct any misinterpretations, and shows you are on the same page.
Building Rapport and Managing the Flow
Your professional persona (composed, unhurried, objective, and business-like)
is often more important than what you say. An ordinary tone of voice is crucial for building trust. Be attuned to the client’s emotional state. If they become defensive, use it as an opportunity to build rapport by demonstrating empathy (while avoiding unhelpful sympathy). Judges look for competitors who are genuine and can build trust without using confusing legalese.
If the client goes off on a tangent, gently guide them back to the main thread. Periodically summarizing the information helps manage the flow and shows the client their story is being heard.
Part 3: Giving Information and Next Steps
The final phase of the interview is about empowering the client with a clear, realistic assessment and a concrete path forward.
Summarising and Outlining Options
Begin by reiterating the key facts to confirm your understanding. From there, briefly outline the primary legal issues and potential options. If applicable, raise Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes like mediation as a more timely and cost-effective solution than litigation. Be mindful of the client’s circumstances; if finances appear to be an issue, mention the availability of Legal Aid.
Managing Expectations and Concluding
A crucial responsibility is to manage the client’s expectations. You must be honest if their desired outcome is unrealistic. Avoid making promises or drawing definitive legal conclusions in a first interview. Explain that you need time to conduct further research to build the strongest possible case.
In conclusion, answer any final questions the client may have. Explain the ‘next steps,’ which may involve explaining a retainer or providing a ‘homework’ sheet of further information you require. Finally, walk the client out and let them know when and how you will be in contact. Judges ultimately want to see a cohesive team that can build rapport and provide advice that leaves the client feeling empowered. Memorable ‘little touches’— like having a business card ready—can also make a team stand out. By focusing on these core principles, you can excel in the competition and develop skills that will serve you throughout your career.
Witness Examination
Witness Examination is a mock trial in which each competitor examines their own witness and crossexamines their opponent’s witness, trying to adduce facts that are favourable to their case.
Problems are generally based in criminal or tort law, and are released one hour before the trial begins. Familiarity with the rules of evidence is recommended but not essential. Ethical considerations and rules of evidence must be kept in mind at all times when speaking to a witness before and during the round; if your witness lies, or shows obvious signs of collusion, you may be excluded from the competition. Each round will last around ninety minutes, with competitors acting for the Prosecution or Defence.
Director’s Note Archer Pullen
Introduce yourself
Hi everyone! I’m Archer, a secondyear law student, and I wanted to share a bit about my journey so far. Honestly, my favourite course has been torts. There’s something really engaging about how it combines real-life situations with complex legal principles. I enjoy diving into the cases we study because they’re often pretty fascinating, and the debates they spark in class keep me hooked. A fun fact about me is that I play beach volleyball regularly. It’s a great way to stay active and clear my mind after a busy week of lectures and studying.
Can you explain what novice witness examination involves?
One thing I’m really excited about is the Novice Witness Examination competition, which some people call wit-ex. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get practical experience with legal advocacy. The format is pretty straightforward. There are four preliminary rounds, then a semi-final, and finally a final. What makes it special is that it mimics a real courtroom where you get to conduct both direct examination, also known as examination in chief, and crossexamination of a witness. Before going in front of the judge, you get about an hour to prepare your case and thirty minutes to consult with your witness, who is usually another competitor. It can be nervewracking, but that’s part of the challenge and honestly, part of the fun too.
What has been the highlight of the witness examination calendar so far?
Looking back, the highlight of this year so far for me has been the final round of the Senior Witness Examination. Both finalists performed incredibly well, and the match was very close. Watching such high-level advocacy was inspiring. It made me realize just how much skill and preparation go into these competitions. It’s not just about knowing the law. It’s about thinking on your feet, communicating clearly, and responding quickly to unexpected situations. That kind of quick thinking is really important in real courtroom settings.
What are you looking forward to in the second semester of witness examination calendar?
As we head into the second semester, I’m especially looking forward to the Novice Witness Examination again. It’s interesting to see how competitors develop over the course of the competition. In the early rounds, you see raw talent and enthusiasm. But by the later stages, you notice how much people have improved. Watching that progress is really rewarding. It’s like witnessing future advocates sharpening their skills right in front of you.
What is the best way to get involved with witness examination?
If you’re thinking about getting involved in competitions like mooting, negotiations, witness examinations, or even external competitions, my best advice is to just sign up and show up. The hardest part is often getting started. Whether you participate as a competitor or even just as a witness, it’s a great way to apply what you learn in class. Plus, it’s an excellent chance to build confidence and develop practical skills that are essential
for a legal career. Being thrown into a live setting can be nerve-wracking, but the experience is incredibly rewarding.
What is the best way to get involved with witness examination?
What I enjoy most about participating in these competitions is the mix of challenge and real-world application. There’s an adrenaline rush when you’re advocating in front of a judge, but beyond that, it’s amazing to see how the law from textbooks actually plays out in real time. Too often, law students get caught up in theory without seeing how it works in practice. Competitions like wit-ex give you a space to argue points, think strategically, and adapt to your opponent’s moves. That active engagement really makes the law come alive.
Overall, I would encourage anyone interested in sharpening their advocacy skills, gaining confidence, and experiencing a taste of real courtroom practice to give these competitions a try. Whether you win or lose, the experience itself is invaluable and will benefit you throughout your legal journey.
Advice from the Champion William Massey Witness
Why did you get involved in witness examination competitions?
I got involved because I wanted to develop practical advocacy skills that textbooks and lectures do not really teach. Mooting and witness examination offer unique opportunities to practice thinking on your feet, speaking confidently, and responding to unexpected challenges, which are all essential for a career in law, especially if you are interested in courtroom work.
I was also curious about what it is actually like to question a witness in court and wanted to build my confidence in a supportive, low pressure environment. Plus, I saw it as a chance to meet other law students who shared my interest and to learn directly from experienced barristers who judge these competitions. It felt like a great way to challenge myself without overwhelming pressure.
How did you prepare for your competition?
Preparation for witness examination competitions is a bit different from traditional moots. Instead of spending weeks memorising case law or writing
lengthy submissions, the preparation focuses on quick thinking and adaptability.
Typically, everyone receives the problem just 90 minutes before the round starts, which means you need to get comfortable with reading and understanding a brief quickly, identifying key points, and structuring questions that will help build your case.
For me, this meant practising active listening and refining my questioning technique in every session I attended. I also made a point of watching previous rounds when I could and asking judges or more experienced participants for tips. Most importantly, I committed to showing up regularly. The learning happens incrementally, and each session builds your skills a little more.
What are your tips for success?
First, do not be afraid to make mistakes: everyone starts somewhere, and errors are part of learning. Stay calm and flexible, because you will often get answers you do not expect, and you need to pivot quickly. Listen carefully to the witness’s answers and use their
responses to guide your next question, rather than sticking rigidly to a script. Try to develop a clear case theory before your round starts and focus your questions on supporting that theory logically.
Make sure to take the judges’ feedback seriously. They are experienced barristers who want to help you improve, not intimidate you. Practice regularly to build confidence and remember that advocacy is a skill developed over time, not something you master overnight.
What advice would you give to your novice self?
I would tell myself to be patient and persistent. When I started, I had no idea what I was doing and felt like I flopped every time. But those early failures were crucial—they forced me to learn, ask questions, and improve. I would also remind myself not to aim for perfection right away; being willing to try and make mistakes is far more important. Finally, I would encourage my novice self to take advantage of the community and support available: whether it is from judges, coaches, or peers. They are there to help, and building relationships with them is just as valuable as the skills you gain.
Of all the legal competitions, Witness Examination is perhaps the most dynamic and exhilarating. With minimal preparation time, it is a true test of your ability to think on your feet, build a persuasive narrative, and perform under pressure.
It is an enjoyable, adrenaline-fueled challenge that hones essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and legal strategy.
Part 1: Developing a Persuasive Case Theory
Before you begin, you must have a case theory. This is your side’s version of events: a coherent explanation of what happened and why, accounting for all the evidence. It is the story that guides every question you ask and every argument you make.
To build your theory, carefully analyse both witness statements. Look for contradictions, then use your imagination and common sense to infer motivations and fill gaps. Crucially, you must also develop a theory for the opposing witness: why are they giving their evidence? Are they mistaken? Are they filling in gaps based on loyalty or their own perception? Simply accusing a witness of lying is rarely persuasive; providing a logical reason why their testimony should not be accepted is far more powerful. This complete narrative will be the consistent thread that runs from your opening statement to your closing argument.
To truly excel, it is essential to ‘think laterally’ beyond the text on the page. Actively imagine yourself within the scenario and ask critical questions: “What seems odd here?” or “What information is conspicuously absent?”. This investigative process helps you infer the motivations and emotions that influenced the witnesses’ actions. Often, a single detail that doesn’t quite fit (an unusual turn of phrase, or a discrepancy
in the witness’ recollection) can be the key that unlocks your entire case theory. By thinking laterally, you move beyond a simple recitation of facts to present a narrative about human behaviour that is far more persuasive to a judge.
Part 2: The Four Key Stages
The competition unfolds in four distinct stages, each with a specific purpose that contributes to your overall case.
1. Opening Statement
Your opening statement is a road map for the judge. In about three minutes, you must signpost clearly what your argument will be. Identify the issues, briefly outline the key facts, and introduce your case theory. If you are the prosecution, outline the elements of the offence you intend to prove. If you are the defence, present your alternative version of events, explaining why it is the more plausible explanation.
2. Examination-in-Chief
This is your opportunity to present your case through your own witness. The goal is to elicit their story in a way that is natural and persuasive. As a rule, you must not ask leading questions. Instead, use open-ended questions like “What happened next?” and follow-up questions like “What did you do after that?” to allow your witness to tell their story. If a part of your witness’s statement is damaging, it is better to question them on it yourself to reduce its impact.
3. Cross-Examination
Cross-examination is your chance to dismantle your opponent’s case by undermining the credibility of their witness. This is the best time to use short, sharp, leading questions to control the witness and force a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, trapping them in a string of facts that favours your case. Be aggressive, but do not harass the witness. If they refuse to give a yes or no answer, you can politely but firmly ask the judge to direct them to do so.
During this stage, you must adhere to the Rule in Browne v Dunn. This crucial rule of evidence states that if you intend to contradict an opposing witness’s testimony in your closing statement, you must first put that contradiction to them during cross-examination, giving them an opportunity to respond.
4. Closing Statement
Your closing statement draws together
all the evidence you have collected. It should mirror your opening, but now you can refer to the testimony from chief and cross-examination to prove why your case theory is the correct one. Relate the evidence to the elements of the offence or tort and persuade the judge that your explanation of all the material is to be preferred.
Part 3: The Rules of Engagement Objections
Objections are a key tactical element used to enforce the rules of evidence. To object, you must stand and state “Objection!”, then briefly explain the grounds when prompted by the judge. Be prepared to defend your own questions if an objection is raised against you. Key grounds for objection include:
Relevance: Evidence must be logically relevant to a fact in issue. In criminal proceedings, evidence is inadmissible if its probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to the defendant.
Hearsay: Generally, a statement made by a person out-of-court cannot be used to prove that the content of the statement is true (s 59 of the Evidence Act). While this rule is complex and has numerous exceptions, it is a crucial objection to understand.
Opinion: A witness cannot give their opinion as evidence (s 76). This rule has key exceptions for ‘lay opinions’ based on what a person saw or heard, and for the evidence of qualified experts.
Improper Questions: Questions that are misleading, confusing, unduly harassing, belittling, racist, or sexist are not allowed (s 41).
Leading Questions: As mentioned, these are prohibited during examination-inchief but are the primary tool of crossexamination.
Knowing the rules of objection and using them strategically can disrupt your opponent’s flow and demonstrate your keen awareness of court procedure.
External Competitions
External Competitions provide you with the opportunity to further your competition skills beyond the ANU programmes. Participants compete against other universities, in competitions that require a greater time commitment than ANU internal competitions, but also offer greater reward. In 2025, for example, participants have already competed both domestically and internationally in Sydney, Vienna, Oxford, Jodhpur and Hong Kong. In 2024, competitors ventured to places including Hobart, Ljubljana and Tokyo. Competitors can be supported by the ANU LSS’ External Competitions Fund. Additionally, courses coordinated by the ANU School of Law can count for course credits.
External Competitions
Directors’ Note Hugh Liu and Thomas North
Introduce yourselves
My name is Hugh, and I’m the co-External Competitions Director for 2025. I’m currently in my third year studying Law and PPE. When it comes to my favourite law course so far, it definitely has to be Legal Theory. I thoroughly enjoyed how the course delves into moral dilemmas within our legal systems, exploring topics like the nature of justice, the role of punishment and surveillance, and the fascinating evolution of jurisprudence.
With regards to a fun fact, I’ve spent the last 6 years pretending to be a clown (kids birthday party host for work).
I’m Tom, one of the external competitions directors this year. I’m studying Law and Arts (Economics), currently in my third year. My favourite law course so far has been Corporations Law, but mainly because of the criminal law parts of it. Can you explain what external competitions involve?
External competitions run quite differently from the internal ones. They’re typically a bit more intensive over a shorter period of time, usually a couple of days. They involve learning a lot about a specific area of law and getting to travel to different places around Australia and the world.
On the other hand, the internal novice competitions are more beginner friendly and are designed for law students who haven’t yet competed to learn the nature and framework of the various competitions, and to ultimately foster the important skills and experience needed to succeed at the external level.
Whether its mooting, negotiations, wit-ex or client interview, the various competitions offer an exciting opportunity to engage in the development of legal skills outside of the classroom,
skills which are crucial in the legal industry and workforce.
What has been the highlight of the external competitions calendar so far?
The highlight that comes to mind must be the huge success and development of the External Competitions Fund, and the amazing support it has provided for students. Such a fund allows the ANU LSS to better support students competing in external competitions both domestically and internationally, allowing for further engagement and accessibility.
What are you looking forward to in the second semester of external competitions calendar?
The Gibbs moot is Australia’s most prestigious constitutional law moot and it’s being hosted right here in ANU this year!
What is the best way to get involved with external competitions?
The biggest misconception about external competitions is that you need to be highly experienced and accomplished to even think about applying. There are more
than enough events on the calendar each year, meaning that you can always apply even if you’re not as experienced as you may think. However, with that being said, if this is the first time you’re hearing about competitions, we would highly recommend participating in the ANU Novice Internal Competitions run this semester, to gain further experience in a competitions setting.
Why do you enjoy being involved with competitions?
Competitions not only provide exciting opportunities to travel to law schools across the country and even internationally, but they also offer the chance to meet and form lasting friendships with like-minded law students—connections that would be difficult to make without participating in competitions. Furthermore, competitions present a refreshing alternative to traditional legal education. They offer an engaging, hands-on approach to learning that complements the more theoretical nature of lectures and tutorials, providing students with practical experience outside the classroom and textbooks.
ANU Women’s Advocacy Mentoring Group
Alison Cook
Hi, I’m Alison Cook and I’m in my penultimate year at the ANU studying a law/arts degree. I’m a keen mooter and my involvement in external competitions at the Australian National University has been an incredible experience that has taken me all over the world.
I’ve been able to represent Australia twice: the PAX Moot in Ljubljana, Slovenia and the Intercollegiate Negotiation Competition in Tokyo, Japan, alongside multiple domestic competitions including the Sir Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot.
We were honoured to win the INC overall in 2024, along with Best English Arbitration, Best English Negotiation,
Best Teamwork Award and Best English team overall. However, recently I’ve pivoted more towards mentoring, coaching, and judging mooting teams.
This is why I am so excited to launch and co-host the ANU Women’s Advocacy Mentoring Group: a group that is committed to creating the supportive female and gender diverse mentoring community I wish I had at law school from day one. It combines peer mentorship with informal chats featuring incredible guests (judges, professors, lawyers, and barristers) who will share honest insights about their careers and life in law.
We have already seen so much growth in mooting—from the Student Coaching
Program I created and implemented when I was Director of External Competitions on the LSS, which meant that most, if not all, of our mooting teams were partnered with experienced coaches—to the growing diversity in the mooting cohort.
All of these developments have been so exciting to watch, and I cannot wait to see what 2026 holds!
Competition is a two-day arbitration and negotiation competition held in Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan with English and Japanese-speaking divisions. The competition centres around international commercial and contract law, based on a dispute between two companies, ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’.
Applications to join Team Australia typically close around mid-June, with interviews conducted over Zoom shortly thereafter, and New Colombo Plan funding can be sought depending on your eligibility. Preparation then begins from July. The competition itself is held in November, with two weeks of preparation in Japan beforehand.
INC is an incredible opportunity to gain exposure to various instruments related to international commercial arbitration and contract law more generally, including the UNIDROIT Principles and UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
Participating is also an excellent way to broaden your network, with previous members of Team Australia from around the world being keen to help, and the applications being open to all Australian universities.
At ANU, participation in the competition is also credited to your degree and typically ten places are offered in the team. If you are interested in participating, I would recommend building up your mooting and negotiations experience so you can develop the legal, research and timemanagement skills necessary, although people without such experience are more than welcome to apply and still make up valued members of the team. Reach out to previous participants for advice and consider how participating in the competition can further your aspirations.
I was fortunate enough to compete in the INC in 2024, where Team Australia
took out the overall win and various other awards. Other than this and getting strong exposure to a new area of law, the highlight of the competition is definitely having the opportunity to form deep friendships with new people both at ANU and across the nation.
There is also a strong focus on preparation through practice which enables participants to continuously hone their skills. Participants will learn how to employ the Harvard style of negotiation and communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds. I would highly recommend applying to join Team Australia; not only will you meet amazing people and learn a lot, you’ll have the time of your life.
If you’re interested in applying, feel free to reach out and ask any questions you may have!
External Competitions
NLUJ International Deal Negotiation Competition Alexander Leberne and Ethan Tudehope
We had the opportunity to represent ANU in the NLUJ International Deal Negotiation Competition in partnership with A&O Shearman in Jodhpur, India.
From the time we landed, we knew it was going to be a memorable and unique experience in such a vastly different and vibrant culture. Situated in Rajasthan, Jodhpur is not a small city by any means, but it is less of an urban metropolis than the nearby Delhi, which meant that tourist sites like the Mehrangarh Fort were less busy, whilst still hugely impressive.
The competition extended over three days, including preliminary rounds, quarter finals, semi finals and the grand finals. The quality of opposition was high, with 32 teams from around the world. We immediately noticed the different approaches which teams adopted, and had to adapt our own ANU style to best tackle the negotiations. These valuable
insights were further reinforced by a panel of judges who brought a wealth of experience in commercial and legal negotiations.
Aside from the fantastic academic and cultural experience, we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other competitors and local students during the tournament. From our most recent negotiations, to our FIFA teams, we never found ourselves short of conversation.
We couldn’t recommend this competition more, as well as applying to the various other external competitions which the ANU LSS facilitates. The skills and experiences developed in these settings are extremely valuable and apply in both a university and employment setting.
A huge thank you to the ANU LSS for providing us with this opportunity and support.
Oxford IP Moot Reflection
Ollie O’Kane, Emma Ashley and Alex Ladwig
Our experience at the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot was incredibly rewarding, both academically and personally.
The moot problem itself was complex and thought-provoking, demanding careful analysis and creative argumentation. It was a wonderful chance to engage deeply with such a nuanced area of IP law, and to test our advocacy in front of expert judges and scholars. It was intellectually intense, but also incredibly satisfying to see our preparation come to life in oral argument.
One of the real highlights was the community. We met students and academics from all over the world, and were struck by how close-knit and welcoming the IP community was. The social events throughout the competition made it easy to connect with others, whether through shared interests or shared nerves.
And of course, there was Oxford itself. Walking through centuries-old colleges,
and dining in halls you would normally only see in photos all added a sense of magic to the experience. We felt lucky to see parts of the university not usually accessible to visitors.
Overall, the moot was a fantastic opportunity and we left Oxford inspired, grateful, and proud to have taken ANU to the quarter-finals on the world stage.
Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot
Felix Archibald
The 2025 Vis Moot was a phenomenal experience. Being the first ANU team to ever compete, we felt pretty lost navigating all the bizarre traditions (who knew you had to give business cards to the judges and opponents?) but our three weeks in Europe could not have been more fun.
We competed in Sydney, at Peace Palace in the Hague, in Budapest and in Vienna, going toe-to-toe with International Court of Justice judges, London silks and renowned arbitration practitioners. Separately, the Vis East team travelled to Sydney and Hong Kong to compete.
Alongside the international arbitration mooting there was plenty of socialising, meeting great law students from all over the world, and we returned with an Honourable Mention for Best Team and offers to stay with newfound friends in places as far-flung as Mexico and Finland.
Writing the 80-page written submissions over summer was arduous, but that and the oral rounds taught us an enormous amount about international arbitration. I have personally found that mooting has massively improved my academic skills, including research and analytic writing. I highly recommend the Vis Moot and any other competitions to anyone trying to get the most out of law school!
External Competitions
Australian Law Students’ Association Conference
The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) is a national not-for-profit association comprising many Law Students’ Societies and Law Students’ Associations. Every year, the ALSA Conference consists of a week of competitions, educational events, council meetings and social events.
In 2025 the Conference is being jointly hosted in Canberra by the ANU Law Students’ Society and the University of Canberra, with highlights including functions at Parliament House and the National Museum of Australia.
Winners of the senior internal mooting, negotiation, client interview and witness examination competitions (held in Semester 1) represent ANU at the Conference every year. This year ANU’s contingent features Mia Booth, Thomas North, Chith Weliamuna, E Wen Wong, James Jackson, Riley Dowd, Nyah Grey,
Luke Bentley, Mairead O’Connell-Lacy, Venni Baliyan, Mia Hawke and Archie Horneman-Wren.
It is an extremely rewarding experience as teams compete against universities from around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Participating in Novice Competitions gives you the relevant skills and experience to compete in the Senior Internal Competitions, which puts you in the running to become an ANU ALSA competitor and representative.
Founded in the early 1970s, ALSA has grown into the peak national voice for more than 40 member law-student organisations and over 40,000 students across the country. The Association pursues four core pillars: advocacy (lobbying governments, universities and professional bodies on issues that affect law students), education (developing resources such as careers guides and
policy primers), skills development through its prestigious national competitions programme, and thought leadership via policy submissions and conference workshops.
The centrepiece of ALSA’s calendar is the Annual National Conference, a rotating-host, seven-day event that combines policy debate with intensive competition rounds and opportunities for evening networking. Delegates meet daily in ‘Council’ to set national policy positions and elect the incoming Executive, while competitors can display their abilities in multiple preliminary rounds that culminate in Grand Finals judged by eminent barristers, academics and members of the judiciary.
ANU LSS External Competitions Fund: Explainer
We are pleased to announce that the LSS has created a new funding policy for external competitions. We believe that this fund will make the support available for students more comprehensive and accessible. However, we acknowledge that attaining this funding can often be daunting, and so the aim of this document is to improve the transparency of the process.
Please note that funding for external competitions comes from different sources. The ANU School of Law, for example, also provides funding for competitions, which can be accessed and applied for here: https://law.anu. edu.au/anu-law-school-discretionarystudent-financial-support. This includes competitions that count for course credit, such as the Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot and the Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot. How much money is allocated through this new policy?
The LSS has allocated $15,000 for Semester 1 2025. This $15,000 will support participants, primarily through covering team registration costs. However, funding for travel, flights and accommodation will be further available for student on an equitable basis.
Which competitions are supported by the fund?
Domestic:
• UNSW Private Law Moot
• UTS Technology Law Moot
• Baker McKenzie Women’s Moot
• University of Wollongong Criminal Law Moot
• MULS Environmental Law Moot
International:
• Vis and Vis East (Vienna and Hong Kong)
• Oxford International Property Moot
• PAX Moot
• A&O Shearman NLU Deal Negotiation Competition
25% of the fund will be reserved for additional discretionary spending, if there are other competitions the students choose to enter through the ANU LSS.
How do I receive finding for my travel and accommodation expenses?
Following registration fees, remaining funds will be spent on competitors’ travel expenses. This will be allocated to students based on categories of need. These are as follows:
• Tier 1: students who receive substantial external support (approximately 50% or more of their living expenses). This includes students who receive a significant financial contribution from their parents, or a large scholarship.
• Tier 2: students who receive minimal external support (less than 50% of their living expenses). This includes students whose parents occasionally cover some expenses, or receive a small scholarship.
• Tier 3: students who support themselves financially without external support, and are employed.
• Tier 4: students who support themselves financially without external support, and receive income support (e.g. youth allowance).
• Tier 5: students who financially support themselves and a dependent (e.g a child or a sick relative).
The amount allocated to each tier will differ between international and domestic competitions. This funding is also discretionary, meaning that the LSS may take other factors into consideration when allocating the funding.
Are there any conditions for me to access this funding?
• Students must firstly apply to other sources (e.g. the ANU Law School Discretionary and Competitions Funds: https://law.anu.edu.au/anulaw-school-discretionary-studentfinancialsupport and ANUSA SEEF Fund: https://anusa.com.au/services/ seef/)
• A student cannot receive more than $2,000 from the fund during a calendar year.
• Students who have received money from the fund must, in turn, contribute to the LSS competitions programme, to help younger students develop their
skills. This can include judging internal competitions, helping run workshops and coaching ANU teams in external competitions
What is the process for applying and receiving funding?
1. Apply for a competition through the LSS. Competition opportunities are posted on the LSS Facebook. However, if there is a competition you wish to participate in, please contact us on lsscompetitions@anu.edu.au and lssexternalcompetitions@anu.edu.au.
2. Be a successful applicant for the competition!
3. Apply for ANU Law School funding, and if desired, ANUSA funding 4. Fill out our pre-competition form: https://forms.gle/Htdz62EGmvd F4ZRk9
5. Compete!
6. Fill out our post-competition form: https://forms.gle/PwevLqU8Ct9xpi Gr6 7.
Receive funding from the LSS. Contact us with any questions you may have:
Alex Bako President lss@anu.edu.au
William Massey Vice-President (Finance) lssfinance@anu.edu.au
Hugh Liu and Tom North External Competitions Directors lsscompetitions@anu.edu.au
Firm Materials
Uniquely at Ashurst
We’re recruiting for a motivated graduate. And that person is you.
At Ashurst, we know that the brightest legal minds of tomorrow thrive in challenging situations and stay true to their unique selves. We want the whole you: your potential as a legal professional, and the combination of interests, ideas, beliefs and achievements that are part of what makes you, uniquely you.
By joining us, you’ll become part a global team located in 31 offices across 18 countries, working together to tackle our clients’ most complex problems.
Embrace the opportunity to grow, innovate and make a difference. Come and join us at Ashurst to be part of something extraordinary.
Find out more at ashurst.com/students
7.00am
A day in the life of a Seasonal Clerk
A day in the life of a Seasonal Clerk
Rosa Hood
The
Australian National University
Rosa Hood
The Australian National University
After being rudely awakened by my alarm I get up and get ready for work 8:15 I am out the door and starting my walk to work During this time I like to listen to one of my favourite podcasts or playlists
After being rudely awakened by my alarm I get up and get ready for work 8:15 I am out the door and starting my walk to work During this time I like to listen to one of my favourite podcasts or playlists
Once I arrive at work I check though my inbox to see if there are any urgent or immediate tasks to be done. I can see an email from my supervising lawyer asking me to proof read an advice before he sends it to the partner for settling, so I get started on that.
Once I arrive at work I check though my inbox to see if there are any urgent or immediate tasks to be done I can see an email from my supervising lawyer asking me to proof read an advice before he sends it to the partner for settling, so I get started on that.
Coffee time! There is always someone in the office keen to round everyone up for a coffee run This is a really great time to chat to people not in your team or who you don't interact with as much
Coffee time! There is always someone in the office keen to round everyone up for a coffee run This is a really great time to chat to people not in your team or who you don't interact with as much
Today I have been asked to do a first draft of an advice for a client regarding the Intellectual Property clause in one of their contracts
Today I have been asked to do a first draft of an advice for a client regarding the Intellectual Property clause in one of their contracts
On Tuesdays the Digital Economy Transaction (DET) team has their team meeting This is when everyone in the team goes through the matters they are working on and how busy they are.
On Tuesdays the Digital Economy Transaction (DET) team has their team meeting This is when everyone in the team goes through the matters they are working on and how busy they are
After the meeting I continued working on the advice This included looking through all the relevant documents in the iManage file
After the meeting I continued working on the advice This included looking through all the relevant documents in the iManage file
Today I go for a walk with so me of the other Ashurst team to find lunch in the city
Today I go for a walk with so me of the other Ashurst team to find lunch in the city
After lunch I am called into a meeting room with my supervising lawyer to chat about the draft advice I wrote He talks me through changes he made and why he made them
After lunch I am called into a meeting room with my supervising lawyer to chat about the draft advice I wrote. He talks me through changes he made and why he made them
This afternoon the DET partner has called me into her office to chat through some of the work she is doing
This afternoon the DET partner has called me into her office to chat through some of the work she is doing It 's
Shape the future with Allens
At Allens, we’re focused on equipping our people with the skills and experience they need to be the lawyers of the future. We’re ready to define tomorrow. Are you?
With us, you’ll be more than a lawyer. Our people are technical experts, but they’re also trusted business advisers who think bigger, more broadly and more strategically. Together, we solve complex legal challenges, and collaborate across practice areas and disciplines to guide our clients.
We work across borders too, thanks to our alliance with Linklaters. This provides opportunites for our firm and our people, including annual rotations in Linklaters London, Hong Kong and Singapore being available to our graduate lawyers.
An early legal career at Allens includes highly tailored training through the Allens Academy. Developed in partnership with the University of New South Wales, our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice will help you transition from law graduate to legal expert and trusted business adviser.
In a rapidly changing world, we seek opportunities to innovate by embracing creative thinking , new approaches and emerging technology. We don’t just seek opportunities to benefit ourselves and our clients, we believe strongly in driving positive change to do right by our community too, as demonstrated through our strong pro bono practices.
Our teams are open, inclusive and encouraging , giving you the opportunity to learn and grow while feeling supported. You’ll have the flexibility to drive your own career, and we’ll recognise your achievements and hard work as you progress through the firm. Are you ready to begin?
Another fantastic initiative from Allens to engage future talent! As a candidate, I am excited at the prospect of joining such a fantastic and innovative firm.
From your very first day, you will work alongside thought leaders in the profession on important and complex cases that will provide opportunities to flex your thinking, offer direct input and gain in-depth knowledge. Your opinions will be respected and you’ll be given autonomy to progress matters.
What can you expect from our program?
Your clerkship will provide you with a unique insight into the experience you would have as a Law Graduate at Arnold Bloch Leibler. You will be immersed in our culture and have a dedicated supervising partner from day one to guide you on active matters alongside the team and take on real responsibilities.
What do we look for in candidates?
We seek individuals who combine lateral thinking, diverse life experience, and exceptional commercial acumen with resilience and a genuine passion for the law. While academic excellence and intellectual aptitude are essential, we also place value on creativity, strategic thinking and a commitment to community.
We appreciate individuals who take initiative, actively engage in shared responsibility for their career development, and exhibit a strong dedication to continuous learning and personal growth.
“Clerking at ABL is an incredible fast-track to experiencing what it is like to work as a lawyer in a commercial law firm. From the first day I was trusted with the autonomy to conduct my own research and draft my own letters on issues impacting both corporate and private clients, with support from the lawyers in my team always close at hand.”
Dean Jarvis, 2022 Seasonal Clerk
WHERE BRIGHT MINDS MEET
THE GLOBAL GRADUATE PROGRAM
Our two-year Global Graduate Program turns gifted beginners into elite professionals. You will be afforded the breadth of experience needed to emerge as a confident business adviser.
WHY CLIFFORD CHANCE?
We are one of the largest international law firms in the world, with over 30 offices across the globe. We believe every career at Clifford Chance should be rewarding and stimulating – full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.
We work with our clients on market-shaping transactions and headline-hitting disputes. Most of our matters span international borders and involve numerous cross-practice groups – for example, our award winning investor-state arbitration team work on international mandates with overseas clients, colleagues and counsel on a daily basis.
Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.
Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.
CLERKSHIP PROGRAM – 2025/26
Our clerkship program will provide you with a real insight into life as a lawyer at an elite global law firm. You will have two rotations in different practice areas over the course of the Clerkship Program. You will work alongside partners and fee earners on real-time matters and be given the opportunity to attend world class training conducted across the APAC region. While not guaranteed, some of our clerks have recently attended induction training in Singapore.
Who should apply?
Penultimate year students who are available to participate in the March 2027 Graduate Program.
How many clerks do we take?
Perth: 5 – 8
Sydney: 8 – 12
Clerkship dates
Perth: November – December 2025
Sydney: November 2025 – January 2026
When to apply?
Perth: 23 June – 27 July 2025
Sydney: 11 June – 13 July 2025
Scan the QR code to submit your application.
For enquiries, please email: Grads.Australia@CliffordChance.com
GRADUATE PROGRAM
Our Global Graduate Program is one-of-a-kind in Australia:
• Four rotations, each lasting six months
• Globally significant and headline-hitting work
• World-class training
• International secondment to an overseas office for six months
• No red tape, with access to colleagues and clients around the globe
• Market leading salary and benefits package
In addition to international secondment, you will have the opportunity to work across our award-winning teams in Perth and Sydney, including:
Graduate offers are primarily made to students who successfully complete the Clerkship Program. We occasionally open direct applications to students who have not completed our Clerkship Program.
How many graduates do we take?
Perth: 5 – 6
Sydney: 7 – 10
Corrs
Chambers Westgarth is Australia’s leading independent law firm.
We’re known
for delivering legal excellence, exceptional
client service and outstanding results.
Our significant work
We let our work speak for itself. We’re proud to work with some of the biggest organisations in the world on their most important matters.
Our clients include more than half of the top 50 ASX-listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune 500 companies. We work with well-known organisations like AGL, Australia Post, BP, CBA, Coles, eBay, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Medibank, NAB, PayPal, Stockland, TPG Telecom, BHP, TransGrid, Wesfarmers and Westpac. We also work with governments, as well as on high profile and market-leading transactions.
Your time as a clerk at Corrs
The majority of our graduates join us after experiencing a seasonal clerkship program.
Our clerkships give you the opportunity to connect with partners and lawyers across the firm, learn what a ‘day-in-the-life’ at Corrs is like and experience the type of work we do and the clients we partner with.
During your time as a clerk, you will be allocated a supervising partner, mentor and buddy, who will support you through your clerkship experience as you work alongside some of Australia’s leading lawyers on high-profile work for major Australian and international clients.
You’ll be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters and have the chance to complete tasks such as conducting research, reviewing and presenting documents, attending client meetings, court hearings, mediations and settlements, as well as shadowing partners and lawyers in client meetings and business development activities.
Our Lawyer Development Program
The Lawyer Development Program is designed to support you in the formative stage of your career. It aims to build the capabilities and relationships that will drive career progression and underpin future successes, as rapidly as possible. Unique features of the program include:
Mentor partner – You will be allocated a mentor partner (in most cases your supervising partner in your first rotation) who remains in this role throughout the program and potentially beyond. This will build a personal and enduring relationship that transcends everyday transactional work. You will also be supported in each rotation by a supervising partner and SA/SC who will source meaningful and challenging work.
12 x 6 x 6 rotation structure – The first practice group rotation is 12 months to ensure you have time to learn on the job and build strong capabilities and relationships in your first year. In the second year, when you have an increased level of experience and confidence, you will complete two six-month rotations in order to gain exposure and build relationships across different groups. Formal learning – The program incorporates comprehensive formal learning opportunities including our national Graduate Academy, local Graduate Orientation, practical legal training with the College of Law, practice group induction sessions and the national Legal Excellence program.
Diversity and inclusion
We strongly believe that diversity in all its forms should be embraced and celebrated. This benefits our people, our clients, our firm and the industry at large.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion includes gender equality, cultural diversity, LGBTQ inclusion, First Nations inclusion, carers support, disability inclusion and accessibility, and flexible working.
In 2024, Corrs was recognised as a Gold Employer by Pride in Diversity, having achieved a gold citation in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).
Don’t just make up the numbers. Don’t force yourself to fit a mould. Be valued for being you. Join a firm that values different voices, fresh ideas and independent thinkers.
To learn more about our Early Careers Programs, application dates and more, please scan the QR code.
Opportunity starts here
YOUR GROWTH. OUR AMBITION.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambition. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambition. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambition. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambition. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.
We’re excited about the future and you’ll help us build something even better than we have today. Our training is tailored and meaningful. We’ll ask you to be open to the experience and what's required. You’ll discover what sort of lawyer you want to be and become an excellent one.
We’re excited about the future and you’ll help us build something even better than we have today. Our training is tailored and meaningful. We’ll ask you to be open to the experience and what's required. You’ll discover what sort of lawyer you want to be and become an excellent one.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we believe that exceptional graduates possess both technical excellence and a growth mindset.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we believe that exceptional graduates possess both technical excellence and a growth mindset.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we believe that exceptional graduates possess both technical excellence and a growth mindset.
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we believe that exceptional graduates possess both technical excellence and a growth mindset.
We value individuals who bring their best, are curious and who constantly seek to learn and improve from every experience. These graduates embrace challenges, viewing them not as obstacles but as opportunities to stretch their capabilities and achieve outstanding results.
We’re excited about the future and you’ll help us build something even better than we have today. Our training is tailored and meaningful. We’ll ask you to be open to the experience and what's required. You’ll discover what sort of lawyer you want to be and become an excellent one.
We’re excited about the future and you’ll help us build something even better than we have today. Our training is tailored and meaningful. We’ll ask you to be open to the experience and what's required. You’ll discover what sort of lawyer you want to be and become an excellent one.
As a leading international law firm, we’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. From the outset, you’ll work with respected colleagues on high-quality matters and your experience will help you grow an international perspective.
As a leading international law firm, we’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. From the outset, you’ll work with respected colleagues on high-quality matters and your experience will help you grow an international perspective.
As a leading international law firm, we’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. From the outset, you’ll work with respected colleagues on high-quality matters and your experience will help you grow an international perspective.
• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects
• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects
• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects
Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects
• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects
• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm
We value individuals who bring their best, are curious and who constantly seek to learn and improve from every experience. These graduates embrace challenges, viewing them not as obstacles but as opportunities to stretch their capabilities and achieve outstanding results.
We value individuals who bring their best, are curious and who constantly seek to learn and improve from every experience. These graduates embrace challenges, viewing them not as obstacles but as opportunities to stretch their capabilities and achieve outstanding results.
We value individuals who bring their best, are curious and who constantly seek to learn and improve from every experience. These graduates embrace challenges, viewing them not as obstacles but as opportunities to stretch their capabilities and achieve outstanding results.
We're looking for people who are proactive, demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a real impact, fostering strong relationships with clients and colleagues across our global network.
We're looking for people who are proactive, demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a real impact, fostering strong relationships with clients and colleagues across our global network.
We're looking for people who are proactive, demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a real impact, fostering strong relationships with clients and colleagues across our global network.
Clerkship program
As a leading international law firm, we’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. From the outset, you’ll work with respected colleagues on high-quality matters and your experience will help you grow an international perspective.
We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re interested and resourceful. We understand the part technology plays in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity.
We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re interested and resourceful. We understand the part technology plays in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity.
We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re interested and resourceful. We understand the part technology plays in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity.
We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re interested and resourceful. We understand the part technology plays in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity.
Known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture, being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover it’s our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.
Known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture, being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover it’s our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.
Known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture, being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover it’s our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.
Known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture, being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover it’s our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.
We're looking for people who are proactive, demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a real impact, fostering strong relationships with clients and colleagues across our global network.
Clerkship program
Clerkship program
Clerkship program
We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive handson practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.
We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive handson practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.
• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm
Networking opportunities to meet people
• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm
• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm
Joining us
Joining us
Joining us
Joining us
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.hsfkramer.com/au/grads/ vacation-clerkships or contact one of our Early Careers Team.
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.hsfkramer.com/au/grads/ vacation-clerkships or contact one of our Early Careers Team.
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.hsfkramer.com/au/grads/ vacation-clerkships or contact one of our Early Careers Team.
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.hsfkramer.com/au/grads/ vacation-clerkships or contact one of our Early Careers Team.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Key Dates & Deadlines
Key Dates & Deadlines
Key Dates & Deadlines
We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive handson practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.
We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive handson practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.
You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:
You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:
You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:
You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:
• Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients
• Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients
• Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients
• Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients
• Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience
• Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience
• Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience
for all
Applications
Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.
• Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience
• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support
• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support
• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support
• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support
• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas
• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas
• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas
• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas
• Contribute to our pro bono practice
• Contribute to our pro bono practice
• Contribute to our pro bono practice
• Contribute to our pro bono practice
Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.
Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.
Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.
Contacts
Contacts
Contacts
Contacts
James Keane
James Keane Senior Manager, Early
James Keane Senior Manager, Early Careers
James Keane Senior
Manager, Early Careers GraduatesSydney @hsfkramer.com
PHON
EMAI L emily. j ayamohan @ au. k wm . co m
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