Competitions Guide 2025

COMPETITIONS GUIDE 2025 ADVOCACY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS INTERVARSITY

Acknowledgement of Country MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY ACKNOWLEDGES THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY LAND, THE WATTAMATTAGAL CLAN OF THE DARUG NATION, WHOSE CULTURES AND CUSTOMS HAVE NURTURED, AND CONTINUE TO NURTURE, THIS LAND, SINCE THE DREAMTIME. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO ELDERS PAST AND PRESENT.

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How to Find Us

THE MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY’S OFFICE IS LOCATED IN THE NEW MICHAEL KIRBY LAW BUILDING IN ROOMS 102 AND 104. THIS BUILDING IS SITUATED ON 17 WALLY’S WALK, AND IS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE MUSE.

How to Contact Us

WEBSITE: WWW.MULS.ORG FACEBOOK: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.CO M/MACQUARIEUNIVERSITYLAW SOCIETY/ INSTAGRAM: @MULS_MACQUARIE EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@MULS.ORG 03

From The Vice-Presidents of Competitions

Make 2025 your year to learn, excel and win with MULS Competitions!

Welcome to the Competitions Guide, your one-stop shop for some of the best complements to your law degree that MULS offers. This guide will take you through the essentials you need to sign up for some of the most enriching and career-changing opportunities that MULS offers.

MULS offers a range of competitions to complement students' studies, regardless of where they want to go after law school. You can pick your own adventure, whether you want to get better at speaking in a courtroom, examining witnesses to build case theories, writing better essays, or all of the above. Even if you do not wish to practice law, the skills and confidence you build will catapult whatever career you choose. The only competition you will ever regret is the one you never tried!

Emma Reading Vice-President (Advocacy)

Welcome to MULS Competitions 2025!

We are thrilled to bring together students of all experience levels to explore the exciting world of advocacy and professional skills competitions.

Whether you're a seasoned competitor or considering competing for the first time, this event is designed to showcase the wide range of opportunities available and highlight how these competitions can enhance your legal education and future career. Our primary goal is to ensure that students of all experience levels not only compete but also learn and grow from their experiences.

Competitions offer a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from fellow competitors, judges, competition executives, and legal professionals.

Jules Gobran Vice-President (Professional Skills)

At MULS, we are proud to provide a diverse range of competitions for students to choose from. Our Advocacy Portfolio focuses on mooting, with exciting competitions in areas such as criminal law and environmental law being offered this year.

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For me, I have found competing to be the most eye-opening part of my degree because it has given me an idea of what practising law is like, and has helped me get ahead in building the necessary skills. I started mooting in my first year and continued to compete in negotiations, moots, and ADRs, which have given me a diverse range of experiences. If not for participating in these competitions, I would likely be clueless about the law beyond university, and I would not have met most of my university friends.

There is never a time in your degree when you cannot compete or get involved. We provide opportunities from the first semester of first year, and you will still be challenged until your final semester before graduating. If you do not have time to invest in a moot, we also have competitions that only require a few hours every couple of weeks. No matter what works for you, you will find the experiences offered by MULS to be some of the most enjoyable and productive investments of your time during university.

Best of luck to all competitors! I hope to see you in the moot court soon.'

Meanwhile, our Professional Skills Portfolio emphasises the essential skills necessary to become exceptional lawyers. These skills are honed and perfected through competitions like Client Interview (offered at both junior and senior levels) and Negotiations. MULS is also proud to collaborate with universities across Sydney and around the world, offering opportunities to participate in prestigious events such as the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and the DC-ICC Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition.

This year, we are committed to running all our competitions—internal and external—with the highest level of professionalism. To kick off what promises to be an incredible year, we are excited to host the Annual Competitions Exposition on February 24th, 2025! Open to all law students, this event highlights the diverse competitions MULS offers, with live demonstrations of Criminal and Contract Moots, Witness Examination, Negotiation, and Client Interview. Engage with judges, past competitors, and MULS executives, and gain valuable insights into the benefits of competing.

We look forward to seeing you there and to an exciting year of competition, learning, and collaboration!

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From The President

Hello students!

I’m Rachel Duong and I have the privilege of serving as the President of the Macquarie University Law Society for 2025. As your President, I am committed to helping you build your legal skills, gain career clarity and develop confidence by ensuring access to personal and professional development opportunities through our society. I therefore welcome you and encourage your engagement with our Macquarie University Law Society competitions this year. Competitions are a professional development opportunity that we offer to Macquarie University Law students and members, so that you can build a practical application of the law alongside your degree.

Rachel Duong President

From The Vice-President of Publications

In the industry discussions that I have been grateful to take part in, a common desire from the legal industry is for students to be ‘practice ready’. To be

Welcome to the Competitions Guide.

I’m Emilia Price, and I am your Vice-President of Publications for the Macquarie University Law Society in 2025. In this Guide, I hope my Portfolio is able to help guide and nurture your competitions journeys. We aim to help clarify potentially confusing aspects of competing, help you make an informed decision about which Competition is best suited to your abilities and needs, and to provide tips from our excellent Judges to aid you. I would like to thank all Contributors who have helped make this Guide possible.

Emilia Price Vice-President (Publications)

Macquarie University has a renowned reputation for developing their law students academically, but also practically. Macquarie Law has historically favoured teaching a high degree of technical skills of in the teaching of their degrees, and this is only aided by our vast array of Competitions offered. The upskilling and development that Competitions offers students is truly priceless, and will aid students immensely in their future.

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‘practice ready’ is to be a graduate who has the necessary practical skills, knowledge and attributes to perform effectively in the legal environment.

We have advocacy and professional skills competitions that serve as a rewarding extra-curricular activity to help you build skills that you can take into your careers. From our competitions, you will learn how to present professionally, build strong research and communication skills and work in a team. You will also develop a broad scope of practical and technical skills such as client interviewing, negotiation and advocacy, which will complement the legal theory learned in your degree. These skills will provide a strong foundation for you to take into legal environments and continue developing through your work experience. By participating in our competitions, you will be better equipped to apply your legal knowledge in practice and confidently enter the profession as a practice-ready graduate.

Kind regards Rachel

This year, the Competitions Portfolio has been split into two-- the Advocacy and Professional Skills Portfolio. I am confident that this split will allow Competitions to particularly flourish this year, and will allow for greater mentorship and breadth of Competitions offered within the Portfolios. Look out for our EOIs at the beginning of the Semesters, and come to our Competitions Expo to find out even more!

And for students still on the fence, I would encourage you all to take a leap of faith and sign up. Truly what’s the worst that can happen? Putting together this Guide and interviewing participants has truly exposed me to the wide range of opportunities that are opened up for competitors. From networking with Judges, to opportunities to go overseas, to just a general rise in confidence and public-speaking abilities-- there seems to be an infinite amount of doors that open in your professional and personal development one you start mooting.

So sign up, give it your best, and have fun while doing it !

Emilia

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From the Editor I am Kaylen La Brooy, a second-year student studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Psychology. As the Executive Officer (Editor) of the MULS Publications Portfolio (2024), my role is to help oversee, write and edit the many Law Publications produced by our society. This includes the Competitions Guide, which is designed to support you as fellow law students, by providing allrounded guidance from the onset of your undergraduate LLB or postgraduate JD program.

Macquarie University has a proud tradition offering competitions that extend students beyond their units of study. A word of advice would be to involve yourself in as many of these as possible, whether it be through moots, client interviews and more. This being said, I highly recommend maintaining a balanced schedule tailored to your needs while doing so. This open-minded approach will teach you much about your community, and the legal world as you

shape yourself professionally, academically and personally.

Competitions are great outlets to immerse yourself in the active social life at Macquarie University. It would be beneficial to familiarise yourself with this guide so that you can participate in as many competitions as possible with the mindset of connecting with peers both personally and professionally. I found the Foundations of Law Moot to be an excellent opportunity to apply content knowledge from the LAWS1000 unit early in my university experience. Similar competitions will develop teamwork skills that are invaluable to a career in law.

Most importantly, don’t shy away from the chance to develop yourself beyond your units. If you have doubts, questions or concerns don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We want you make the most of your university experience, and will endeavour to release as much information as soon as possible.

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Kaylen La Brooy

From the Dean of Macquarie Law School Dear Students, Legal advocacy encompasses a broad spectrum of professional skills that extend far beyond the courtroom.

At Macquarie Law School, our comprehensive competitions program offers you outstanding opportunities to develop these skills while building valuable professional connections that can shape your career.

Our Michael Kirby Building houses what is widely recognised as Australia’s finest moot court facility. This world-class venue provides an authentic environment that mirrors the gravitas and ceremony of actual court proceedings. When you step into this space, you’re not just participating in a competition – you’re experiencing the real essence of legal advocacy.

The excellence of our facilities is matched by the outstanding achievements of our students. I’m incredibly proud to share that our Jessup Moot team has dominated the Australian rounds for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), advancing to represent Australia at the World Finals in Washington, DC. Adding to these achievements, our team secured second place globally in the 2023 Global Nuremberg Moot Competition – a testament to the calibre of advocacy skills developed at Macquarie.

While our mooting program is renowned, our competitions extend well beyond traditional advocacy.

Our Negotiations and Client Interview competitions develop crucial skills that every professional needs, regardless of their chosen career path. These competitions simulate real-world scenarios where you’ll learn to handle client relationships, manage expectations, navigate complex negotiations, and find practical solutions to legal challenges.

One of the most valuable aspects of our competitions program is the opportunity to connect with our distinguished alumni who return as judges and mentors.

These practitioners, many of whom started their journey in the same competitions you’ll participate in, provide invaluable feedback and insights drawn from their professional experience. Many students have secured internships and career opportunities through these connections, demonstrating how competitions can open doors to your future career.

For those who might be hesitant about competing, remember that there are many ways to be involved. You can volunteer as a witness in mock trials, or a client in the interview competition, which provides valuable exposure to the competition environment without the pressure of advocacy. All our internal competitions are organised by the amazing Competition Team, offering opportunities for students at every level of experience and confidence.

I’ve witnessed countless students discover their passion for advocacy through our competitions program. Many have told me that mooting was the highlight of their law school experience – the moment when they truly felt like lawyers for the first time. Others have found that client interview competitions helped them develop the interpersonal skills that became fundamental to their success in commercial law or corporate practice.

I encourage you to embrace these opportunities, challenge yourself, and become part of Macquarie’s proud tradition of excellence in legal advocacy and professional skills development.

Kind regards, Professor Lise Barry

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 20

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ADVOCACY COMPETITIONS HOW TO FIND US 21 04

MOOTING FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENTS

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INTERNAL MOOTS OFFERED FROM THE PRESIDENT 44 08

WITEX

FROM THE EDITOR

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FROM THE DEAN

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS COMPETITIONS

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CLIENT INTERVIEWS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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NEGOTIATIONS

2025 CALENDAR 61 12

PAPER PRESENTATIONS

MEET THE ADVOCACY PORTFOLIO

65 ADR

15 MEET THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS PORTFOLIO

69 INTERVARSITY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS COMPETITIONS

18 COMPETITIONS FACILITIES

79 JUDGES’ CORNER

Table of Contents 04

2025 Competitions Guide

SEM 1

SEM

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International Humanitarian Law Moot

Criminal Law Moot

Private Law Moot

Alternative Dispute Resolution

UNSW Private Law Moot

UTS LSS Contract Law Moot

Sir John Peden Contract Law Moot (SULS)

UTS Legal Technology Moot

Junior Client Interviews

SULS Client Interviewing Multilateral Competition

UTS LSS Negotiations Competition

UNSW Private Law Moot

ADC-ICC Asia Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition

Paper Presentations

Negotiations

SULS Corporate Law Moot

Novice Moot

Foundations of Law Moot

Contract Law Moot

Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot

Championship Moot

Diversity and Pride Moot

Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot

ESL Trilateral Law Moot

MULS Environment Law Moot

Senior Client Interviews

Ashurst Intervarsity Legal Technology Moot

Baker McKenzie Women's Moot

Margaret Cunneen SC Witness Examination Competiiton

Wallumatta Legal Family Law Mediation

WitEx

ANU Sexuality Moot

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Meet the Advocacy Team

noah

olivia

This year, the Advocacy Competitions portfolio looks forward to supporting Macquarie's future barristers by running moots and witness examination competitions. We are offering subjectfocused moots such as the contract and private law moots, skill-focused moots such as the Foundations of Law and Championship Moot, and the witness examination competition. For those with more experience who want more of a challenge, we will also be working with other law societies to facilitate intervarsity competitions! As the Vice-President of the Advocacy Competitions portfolio, my role is to assist and oversee the Executive Officers in facilitating these competitions and implementing our vision for this year.

Emma Reading Vice-President (Advocacy)

In 2024, MULS made the historical split of the previous Competitions Portfolio into the new Professional Skills and Advocacy portfolios. Following this split, we believe we can implement a range of new ideas to better support the competitors. Our vision for this year's advocacy competitions is to make the opportunities we offer more educational and to focus more on improving the performance of all competitors across the board. This means we are hoping to implement more coaching opportunities and provide more resources so that competitors make the most of the time they invest. We are also hoping to further establish our reputation in the area of competing with other universities! Last year, we sent some incredibly talented teams to intervarsity competitions and saw great success, and we hope to continue to do so in 2025. We hope that these goals and circumstances will see a new era in MULS competitions, where competitors have more support than ever, and competitions are the most worthwhile they have ever been.

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Sophie Nixey

Hello! My name is Sophie and I’ll be working with Charlotte. I’m in second year and am so excited to meet each new competitor! I had a wonderful experience competing in the Foundations of Law Moot last year and hope to facilitate the enjoyment of future participants. Foundations competitions give students with little to no experience a taste of mooting. They are the perfect opportunity to test out the playing field, whether you have ambitions for mooting stardom or just want to try something new. Charlotte and I will organise the IHL Moot in Semester 1, allowing students to put their international law skills into practice.

This enables participants to gain a deeper understanding of international law while reinforcing their prior or ongoing knowledge of the subject. The Foundations of Law Moot will be run by me in Semester 2, and is available to all first year students. This tournament is designed for students who have never mooted before and is highly recommended for those who want to learn what it is all about. Charlotte and I hope to see many participants engaging in these competitions this year!

Hi, I’m Charlotte and I’m excited to be taking on the role of Foundations Competitions Executive alongside Sophie! I started competing in moots my first year in the Foundations of Law Moot, and have since competed in the MULS Criminal Law Moot and the Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot. Competitions have become a highlight of my degree at Macquarie, and I have met so many amazing people along the way. This year I will be co-running the MULS IHL Moot with Sophie in Semester 1, which is a fantastic chance for competitors that have either started or completed LAWS2000/LAWS8015 to delve deeper into international law and its complexities. The IHL Moot is also a perfect moot for those who want to get involved in mooting but have limited availability, as the preliminary rounds are run over just one weekend! In Semester 2. I will also be running the MULS Novice Moot, which is open to new mooters in their second year or above. I highly encourage anyone interested to get involved, as it’s a supportive and stress free way to try out mooting, and assists in developing research and advocacy skills. I can’t wait for a fantastic year of competitions ahead and looking forward to meeting all the future competitors.

Ameya Deshapande

Charlotte Russell

My name is Ameya Deshpande and I am the new Executive Officer of (Competitions - Advocacy). I'm a 2nd year student studying a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Law. My aim is to make sure that law students can demonstrate the skills they have learnt in tutorials and utilise them in a competitive environment. I also hope that law students can make lifelong memories through these competitions. The competitions that I will be running are the Criminal and Contracts Law Moot. The Criminal Law Moot consists of 2 preliminary rounds, round 1 and round 2. These rounds will be held over 2 days within the same week. Moreover, after the completion of these rounds we enter the knockout stages. The quarter final will be held over 2 days as well.

However, there will be an intensive semi-final, this means there will be more than one round held in a day. Finally, there will be a grand final held on one day where the winning team will be decided. Individuals and groups should register for these 2 competitions as it will give them the opportunity to interact with esteemed academics and potentially judges. Additionally, these competitions will also provide competitors with the skills to improve their performance in their law degree.

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Hayden Lee

Hi everyone! My name is Hayden and I am a second year law student. My role within MULS is as one of the Executive Officers for Competitions (Advocacy) at MULS in 2025. As a part of this role I will be responsible for running and organising an array of advocacy competitions such as the Private Law Moot, Championship Moot and Witness Examination. Mooting competitions offer a unique opportunity to simulate an appellate hearing, where students tackle complex legal questions. Participants research and prepare written submissions for a hypothetical scenario and then present their arguments before a panel of judges. Witness Examination competitions, on the other hand, simulate a trial setting. Here, students step into the role of barristers, cross-examining witnesses to establish their case. These competitions challenge you to think critically, act decisively, and ask precise, strategic questions to strengthen your position. I highly recommend students put themselves out there and take part in an advocacy competition. Whether you’re experienced in mooting or exploring Witness Examination, you’re guaranteed to gain an invaluable experience. These competitions provide a platform to develop professional and academic skills, build confidence, and create meaningful connections with peers and mentors.

Most importantly, they offer a glimpse into the real-world practice of law, making them an enriching and rewarding experience for all participants!

Hi, my name is Catherine, and I am an Executive Officer for External Advocacy this year. As part of my role, I will be organising the highly anticipated MULS Environmental Law Moot Competition. This competition offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage with critical issues in environmental law, a field that continues to grow in importance as we navigate the challenges of sustainability and environmental protection. Participants will have the unparalleled experience of mooting at the Land and Environment Court, presenting their arguments in front of the esteemed Chief Justice Brian Preston.

Beyond its prestige, this competition provides invaluable practical experience, helping students refine their advocacy skills, deepen their understanding of environmental law, and build their confidence in courtroom settings. Whether you are passionate about environmental issues or seeking to enhance your legal reasoning and public speaking abilities, this competition is an excellent platform to challenge yourself and grow professionally. As someone who has participated in advocacy competitions, I can confidently say that moots like this are invaluable.

They not only sharpen your legal skills but also give you a chance to grow as a future practitioner. I look forward to seeing you take part in this incredible opportunity!

Catherine Lee

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Meet the Professional Skills Team

Jules Gobran Vice-President (Advocacy)

Hello, my name is Jules Gobran, and I am the Vice President of Competitions (Professional Skills) at MULS for 2025. My role is to ensure that all professional skills competitions, both internal and external, run seamlessly, providing students with the best possible experience to develop their legal, verbal, and written skills in a competitive setting. I oversee the Professional Skills Portfolio, which includes competitions such as Negotiations, Client Interview, and Paper Presentation.

Whether you're looking to refine your negotiation strategies, master client-facing interactions, or showcase your legal research and presentation skills, there’s a competition for you. Beyond running these competitions, I work closely with judges, legal professionals, and university academics to ensure that all competitors receive valuable guidance, coaching, and feedback from experienced professionals. I also help coordinate external competitions, giving law students the opportunity to compete on national and international stages.

This involves liaising with universities worldwide to ensure that all interested students get the chance to represent Macquarie University at prestigious competitions.

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Hello everyone! My name is Liam, and I am currently in my fifth year of a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws. I am thrilled to be part of MULS this year, and my role focuses on organising and overseeing three exciting competitions: Negotiations, Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the Paper Presentation.

The Negotiations Competition offers a hands-on opportunity for students, regardless of year or experience level, to practice essential legal skills in a simulated environment. Competing in teams of two, you’ll negotiate a settlement on behalf of a client, all the while ensuring that both parties walk away feeling satisfied. The ADR Competition is a single full-day event designed for teams of two. Competitors will engage in a client interview, negotiate a settlement, draft a letter of advice, and deliver a final presentation. The Paper Presentation Competition gives you the chance to explore a legal topic that sparks your curiosity and then articulate and defend your analysis. The written portion is a 2,500 to 5,000-word essay; the oral portion is a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session from the judges.

Liam Cali

So, why should you register for these competitions? First, they enable you to bridge the gap between theory and practice, applying concepts from your coursework to more dynamic, real-world scenarios. This approach not only strengthens your grasp of legal principles but also helps you learn to think under pressure. Second, competitions offer a fantastic way to network and form friendships with peers who share your interests. Collaboration is an essential skill for the legal profession and can be fine-tuned through these competitions. Lastly, the experience you gain from the competitions will provide you with valuable insights into the diverse skill set every lawyer needs, all while making you a more versatile and confident future professional.

Hi! My name is Lucia and I am the 2025 Executive Officer for External Professional Skills. The competitions I will be running this year include the Margaret Cunneen Witness Examination, and I will be responsible for coordinating Macquarie University teams for any external professional skills competitions. Professional skills competitions encompass a wide range of competition types, such as client interviews, negotiations, and witness examinations. The competitions I run may be specific to one skill, or feature weekend intensives where multiple types are run independently of one another but at the same time, students choosing which event they would like to compete in. The Margaret Cunneen Witness Examination, run in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney Law Students’ Society and frequently judged by notable barrister and Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC, is run in a one-off grand finals format where one Macquarie student faces off against one UTS student. External competitions provide students the unique opportunity to meet and compete against other law students as representatives of Macquarie University. Experienced competitors can take their skills to the next level and get the chance to show that Macquarie has the best students Sydney has to offer!

Lucia Zhou

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Hello everyone! My name is Mahmoud and I am currently in my fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce (Accounting). I am excited to be a part of the Macquarie University Law Society (MULS) this year in charge of managing and organising two competitions this year – Junior Client Interview in Semester 1 and Senior Client Interview in Semester 2.

The Client Interview competitions are separated into Junior and Senior Client Interview by your year of study – first and second-year students will be eligible for the Junior Client Interview competition, whilst students in their third year or above will find their home in the Senior Client interview competition. Competing in teams of 2, you will aim to conduct an effective and purposeful interview with a view to extracting pertinent information from a client, whilst acting in the professional capacity of a lawyer. The direction of the interview is dictated by an Office Memorandum that will be provided to the parties beforehand, providing a brief description of the client’s problem.

Client Interview is a fun way to practice client interaction and building positive client relationships, key skills in the legal profession. They provide a platform for students to develop core skills such as interpersonal, listening, communication and questioning skills, as well as the ability to adapt to different clients and situations. The competition also offers competitors an opportunity to practice critical reflection by assessing their performance and conducting post-interview consultation with judges. The best part is that you get to do this in a fun and engaging environment, far less intensive than mooting!

Mahmoud Allouche

Being a member of MULS is mandatory for competitors!

For a sign up fee of $5, you will receive Discounts on MULS events Discounts on MULS merchandise, Regular email notifications of all MULS events happening on campus A 10% discount at Cult Eatery every time you order (multiple locations on campus).

Sign up with the QR Code below.

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Competitions Facilities KIRBY MOOT COURT In 2024, the Macquarie Law School proudly unveiled the Michael Kirby Mooting Court, an advanced mooting facility dedicated to fostering advocacy skills. Named after the esteemed Justice Michael Kirby, this state-of-the-art space provides students with an immersive environment to practice legal arguments, refine courtroom techniques, and prepare for real-world legal challenges.

The Moot Court is equipped with monitors on all tables, and has three rows of circular seating in order to provide an extended view of proceedings.

QUIET AND MEETING ROOMS Macquarie Law School’s quiet and meeting rooms provide students with spaces for focused research, as well as collaborative work. Designed for productivity, these rooms foster an environment ideal for research, group discussions, and teamwork. Equipped with modern amenities, they support academic success and professional growth in a supportive, wellresourced setting.

OTHER MOOTING FACILITIES Macquarie Law School also offers other cuttingedge mooting rooms designed to further enhance students’ advocacy and legal reasoning skills.

These versatile spaces replicate real-world courtroom settings, providing a practical environment for Competitions. Equipped with advanced technology such as X, they prepare students for the dynamic challenges of legal advocacy.

2024 ACHIEVEMENTS

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Won the 2024 Australian rounds in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, advancing to represent Australia at the World Finals in Washington, DC.

Runners-up in the Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot.

Winners of the MULS X SULS Skills Competition 2024

Winner of the Margaret Cunneen WitEx Competition

How to Get Involved AS A COMPETITOR For the majority of internal competitions, you can enter into the competitions by filling in an EOI form that is posted at the beginning of the semesters. Make sure to keep up to date with our socials in order to see the EOI form!

Alternatively, you can email either VicePresidents as well if you have questions and/or want to sign up. For inter-varsity comps, competitors are selected from the pool of EOIs. Continue to read this Guide to see which Competitions would best suit your skills/ experience level!

AS A JUDGE Judging is open to students who have previously been successful competing in intervarsity competitions before. Although judges are also made up of barristers, solicitors and professors, student judges are key to maintaining the livelihood of MULS competitions. The ability to judge a moot, a negotiation, or other any competition is incredibly beneficial and builds great skills.

AS A VOLUNTEER Acting as a witness or client for a competition is a good way to get exposed to competing, and understanding the skills and benefits of competing. This is especially beneficial for students in their first year or those who are unable to compete, but is open to anyone wishing to gain this exposure. Look out for EOI forms on our social media pages at the beginning of Semester.

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INTERVARSITY ADVOCACY COMPS Macquarie University Law School has a proud tradition of participating in intervarsity advocacy competitions. These are external competitions conducted between teams from different universities.

ADVOCACY COMPETITIONS

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ADVOCACY: Advocacy Competitions are simulated legal exercises designed to help students develop and showcase their skills in legal research and courtroom presence. These competitions typically replicate real-world courtroom scenarios, allowing participants to take on the roles of advocates arguing cases before judges. A MOOT is the most common advocacy competition, but the Portfolio also encompasses other competitions such as WITNESS EXAMINATION (WITEX).

MOOTING: Mooting is a simulated mock appeal where law students argue a legal question before a panel of judges. Unlike mock trials, no new evidence or witness testimony is presented—only legal arguments based on agreed facts. Participants develop advocacy skills, mastering legal research, persuasive reasoning, and courtroom etiquette in a simulated appellate setting.

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SAMPLE STRUCTURE: PREPARING YOUR CASE

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RECEIVING THE HYPOTHETICAL The teams will be presented with the moot problem, which will be a hypothetical appeal that you will research and prepare to argue for. You will receive the material facts, grounds of appeal and the original judgement.

RESEARCH

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Once the problem is released, you will research and prepare written submissions in order to present your argument. These are due to the organiser and other team at 5pm the night before.

3 APPELLANT’S ORAL SUBMISSIONS The appellant will then present their argument. They will provide an overview of your argument and offer the Court a summary of the agreed facts. With the confirmation of the Judge, you will then provide the specifics of the first submission by saying "Turning to my first submission, [then you will begin to state your your argument succinctly]."

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MOOT COURT BEGINS

APPEARANCES When stating your appearance at a mooting court, use the following format: "May it please the court, my name is [Your Full Name, and then spell it alphabetically], and I appear as counsel for the [Appellant/Respondent/], I intend to speak for 8 mins, my co-counsel will speak for 8 mins, and we reserve 2 mins for a right of reply.”

If you're in a team, you can also introduce your co-counsel: "I, [Your Name], and my learned cocounsel, [Their Name], appear for the [Appellant/Respondent]."

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RESPONDENT’S ORAL SUBMISSIONS The respondent now may turn to their submissions in a similar fashion as the appellant. They may also rebut points made in the appellant’s submissions.

APPELLANT’S RIGHT OF REPLY

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The appellant can then politely ask for permission to exercise the right of reply:

"May it please the court, I seek leave to exercise the appellant's right of reply."

The appellant must also stay within the scope of the key issues raised by the respondent. The appellant cannot introduce new arguments.

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TIPS FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF ADVOCACY

RESULT The judge/s will then assess the Moot APPELLANT’S RIGHT OF using the criteria of strength of legal arguments, depth of research, REPLY organisation of presentation, ability to respond to questions and rebuttal, organisation of arguments and courtroom etiquette, and the structure of your argument.

The Judge/s will also typically provide feedback after the moot, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement to help participants refine skills.

1.

2.

3.

Prepare for the questions you don’t expect.

Keep your papers organised.

Bring a full water bottle and take a sip every time the judge asks a questions.

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HOW TO PREPARE: 1

KNOW THE FACTS When you first receive the facts, focus on understanding the hypothetical scenario that the moot presents without immediately applying relevant case law. Identify the key aspects: Who are the parties? What is the context? What is their relationship? What are the main issues and arguments on each side? Annotate or highlight important details to aid comprehension.

Once you have a clear grasp, analyse the hypothetical in detail by considering: Are there gaps or missing information that could benefit either side?

Which facts directly support your argument?

How can case law be used to strengthen your position or counter the opposing argument?

What does the absence of certain facts imply for your case?

What conclusions or inferences can be reasonably drawn?

Thorough analysis ensures a strong and well-prepared argument.

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KNOW THE LAW In applying the relevant bits of law to the facts provided, you must make sure that you are providing the correct and specific section of the legislation you are using. You may also want to consider whether the specific terms in the section of the legislation you are using have been defined in the statute or have been interpreted in precedent cases.

When using cases you may want to consider: What is the current point of law?

The facts, ratio, orbiter and judgement of the case. Make sure you have a holistic understanding of the case.

How was the law applied in the case?

Did this case follow a precedence, or if this case served a precedence in another case.

Did it confirm/overturn a precedent? Did this case challenge authority?

Develop a case table to make this step easier!

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TRY NOT TO USE A WRITTEN SPEECH Avoid relying on a written speech! Using dot points instead allows for a more natural and engaging conversation with the bench. It also demonstrates confidence in your arguments and enables you to respond to questions more effectively, thinking on your feet.

It is strongly recommended to go through the Mooting Handbook and the General Rules of the specific moot you are interested in. You should familiarise yourself with what to expect in the competitions, the rules and regulations concerning written submissions, oral arguments, structure, teams and other important information.

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HOW A MOOT IS JUDGED:

Written Submissions Your written submissions will be based on the quality of legal analysis, depth of research, and correct structure.

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Legal Research

Legal Analysis

Depth of legal research and understanding of case law and statutes.

Ability to apply legal principles to the facts of the case.

05 Courtroom Etiquette Professional demeanor and adherence to procedural formalities.

Also appropriate tone, pace and volume in delivery.

Time Management Making sure you allocate your time efficiently for your key arguments. Also includes not rushing or exceeding the allotted time.

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06 Answering the Bench’s Questions Ability to answer judges' questions persuasively and not a similar question for a practiced problem

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Right of Reply Effectively addressing and countering the opposition’s arguments. Also identifying weaknesses in their submissions.

may it please the court

PHRASE

BANK:

A respectful way of seeking the court's permission to present or continue an argument or discussion

leave This is a polite way of asking the Court for permission to take a certain action

signposting This is the practice of clearly indicating the structure of an argument to make it easier to follow.

Example: “May it please the Court, I will be addressing two key issues...”

I WITHDRAW THAT This is a phrase used to retract a statement that has been made in court or in a legal proceeding.

MY LEARNED FRIEND A formal way to refer to an opposing counsel or colleague

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SAMPLE SUBMISSIONS

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Clear . signposting of overall argument.

Clear signposting of overall argument.

Always provide pinpoint and judge(s) name who handed down the judgment.

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State the law first, then apply it to the facts.

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Minimise indents for cohesion-- stick with one per numbered paragraph

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Foundations of Law MOOT DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

2/5 3/5

The Foundations of Law Moot is designed specifically for first-year students to apply and deepen their understanding of the core concepts covered in LAWS1000. This moot provides an exciting opportunity to take the legal principles you have learned in your coursework and put them into practice with your fellow first years.

Q&A WITH THE 2024 WINNERS

CHARLOTTE KANG SOPHIE NIXEY

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

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S: My aim before the competition began was to familiarise myself with the language and structure of mooting. We wanted to be able to dive right into the question once it was revealed.

Attending the Introduction to Advocacy workshops offered by MULS was a huge help in this respect. The two workshops focused on the written and oral component of mooting respectively and were highly informative. They addressed fundamental aspects, such as speaking order and layout of written submissions, which aided my understanding of the competition as a whole. It was also comforting to sit amongst peers who were just as new to this as we were! The General Mooting Manual and Foundations of Law Moot Rules provided additional guidance as to the overall process of the Competition, such as the deadlines and expectations for each round. Reading

C: Before the competition, I made sure to thoroughly prepare to give myself the best chance of success. First, I watched several mooting videos to get a clear understanding of how a moot unfolds in practice. This helped me grasp the key components of the process, such as the structure of arguments, how to deliver them effectively, and how to engage with judges during questioning. Seeing the dynamics in action gave me valuable insights into both the formalities and the nuances of mooting.

Additionally, I attended preparation workshops hosted by MULS, which were incredibly helpful in honing my skills. These workshops provided practical tips and guidance regarding how to structure and present my arguments, as well as how to respond to questions from judges in a confident and coherent manner.

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the Competitions Guide from previous years developed my knowledge of mooting as a whole by providing accounts of past competitors experiences. Finally, a few Google searches did not go awry– many institutions have published their own mooting guidelines or posted videos of actual mooting rounds. While their rules were slightly different to our own, we still found such resources beneficial to building my overall awareness of mooting which increased my confidence going into the competition.

confidently when the moment arrived. This shift in mindset has helped me feel more assured in speaking situations, both in and outside of the competition. From a professional perspective, the competition has been invaluable in helping me become more comfortable with oral presentations. The practice of speaking in a high-pressure, yet low stakes environment has made me more confident in expressing myself clearly and effectively in front of others. The experience of navigating judges' questions and structuring arguments on the spot has equipped me with skills that I believe will be transferable to the workplace, where public speaking and clear communication are key. By honing these skills in a simulated competition rather than an actual court case, I feel more prepared to take on similar challenges in my future career.

How did. you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

C: Balancing my other commitments with the mooting schedule was definitely challenging, but it also taught me the importance of time management and organisation. Given the strict deadlines for both written and oral submissions, I had to be disciplined in how I allocated my time. To make sure I stayed on top of everything, I set aside specific time blocks each day dedicated to working on my mooting tasks. This helped me ensure I wasn’t overwhelmed by last-minute work and kept me consistently progressing through the preparation process.

S: Participating in the competition has been beneficial in a multitude of ways. Firstly, my research speed and skills definitely improved from trawling through various cases to find relevant excerpts. We certainly gained familiarity with legal citations, which paid off when working on problem question assignments!

The feedback generously provided by judges throughout the competition also served to strengthen these skills. We became more aware of the importance of precedental value and began cross-checking our references to ensure they were persuasive.

Presenting oral submissions was an effective way to build confidence in public speaking. Furthermore, we were required to parse questions from the bench and provide a response in real time, improving the ability to think on our feet. Being able to articulate arguments in a convincing manner is a highly valuable skill both in the academic and professional worlds. Furthermore, willingness to engage in mooting demonstrates initiative and strong work ethic to future employers.

S: Juggling mooting alongside other responsibilities like study and work was challenging at times, but definitely manageable with an appropriate mindset. The most important reminder I gave myself was that the competition is intended to be a fun way to build experience. Everybody is a beginner, and everybody is making mistakes. While I wanted to perform to the best of my abilities, it would be ultimately detrimental to neglect other commitments in favour of the competition. I had to repeat this a few times when I found myself burrowing down obscure rabbit holes that were unlikely to arise in the case. I found the best time management strategy to be treating the competition like any other assignment. I blocked out time in my schedule to work on written submissions and created deadlines to ensure tasks were being completed at a sufficient pace. Some exercises may take longer than expected or life might get in the way, and that’s ok!

No one is demanding perfection, and participation in the competition alone is already a highly beneficial experience.

What is one tip you wish you knew as a first time competitor?

S: Mooting uses a specific vocabulary that sounds very foreign to newcomers (unless you address teachers as ‘Your Honour’ or refer to your friends as ‘my learned co-counsellor’). Using these words and phrases may feel a bit strange at first, but they are important to demonstrate respect for the competition and your fellow participants. Employing formalities also indicates preparedness to the judge, and allows for a higher score in the oral component of the moot.

How has this competition aided your professional and personal development?

C: On a personal level, it has greatly boosted my confidence in public speaking. Mooting pushed me to trust myself and my preparation, especially when it came time for the oral presentations. Initially, I struggled with overthinking and anticipation before the oral submissions, but through the competition, I learned how to trust in my knowledge, take a breath, and focus on delivering my arguments clearly and

C: One tip I wish I had known before starting the competition is to speak slower than you think you should. When you’re nervous, it’s easy to speed up your pace, especially during oral submissions. However, I quickly realised that judges are trying to absorb everything you're saying, and they actually prefer a slightly slower, more deliberate delivery. Speaking too quickly can make it harder for them to follow your argument and can also impact your clarity.

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Novice MOOT DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

2/5 3/5

The Novice Moot is an exciting opportunity for second-year and above students who are new to mooting. This competition is specifically designed for those who have never participated in a moot before, offering a supportive environment to develop and refine your advocacy skills.

Participants will engage in either a contract or criminal law hypothetical, drawing on the legal principles you’ve learned in your courses to build compelling arguments and apply them to practical scenarios.

Q&A WITH A 2024 WINNER

MACKENZIE HALADUS

questions about your submission. This is difficult for students that are confident in their arguments, or for those that have gaps in their knowledge. To overcome this, my partner and I practised oral moots together, and asked each other questions that we think the judge may ask. This helped us get more confident in responding to questions and helped us understand our arguments better. This improved our oral submissions.

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

My mooting journey started later into my law degree than most others. My first moot competition at Macquarie University was the Novice Moot Competition. To prepare for the novice moot competition I familiarised myself with the MULS mooting guide to understand the operation of moot competitions and requirements for written and oral statements. I also familiarised myself with the judges scoresheet so I understood what I would be assessed on during the moot. Once the competition question was released, I identified the area of law it targeted and read the relevant chapters of my textbook.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

Balancing my mooting schedule with other commitments was not a difficult task for me. I made sure to plan and organise my schedule using a diary and calendar to know how much time I had to meet certain deadlines. Whilst competing in the Novice Moot Competition I balanced my work, sporting and social commitments. Whilst this is a challenge for some students, knowing deadlines in advance and keeping a record of them helps me prioritise certain tasks over others. This made it easy to balance competing commitments. So planning and organisation

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

The most difficult aspect of the competition was responding to the questions judges asked. During a moot, the judge can ask any

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were the key factors that helped me balance my mooting with other commitments.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

The competition made me realise that I want to work in an area of litigation. I enjoyed the entire competition from preparing my writtens to presenting my work before experienced judges.

Towards the end of the competition, when I was at the stage where I knew my submissions well enough to anticipate what the judge was going to ask made me feel really accomplished and proud at how far I had come. That feeling makes all the hard work and effort worth it. In regards to my professional development, I feel the competition gave me more confidence in my role as a paralegal. It gave me the confidence to work things out for myself through research and to believe in myself. This has improved my capability and confidence at work.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

One tip I wish I knew is the importance of knowing your written submissions well enough to answer any question asked during your oral submission. Throughout the competition, and closer to the end, I understood the importance of truly knowing your argument, both the strengths and weaknesses. I learnt that it is not a downside to admit that your argument has weaknesses. I learned that the judges, prefer you to acknowledge the weaknesses in your argument, as it shows that you know the entirety of the case and are not closed minded. I also learnt that whilst it is important to acknowledge the weaknesses, it is equally important to understand why the strengths of your argument outweigh the weaknesses. Students only understand this if they know their argument really well and are confident in the research and effort they put into the moot competition.

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International Humanitarian Law

MOOT

DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

2/5 3/5

The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot is an advanced competition recommended for students who have completed the International Law unit. This moot emphasises the application of international law in real-world scenarios, testing both your legal reasoning and advocacy skills.

Q&A WITH THE 2024 WINNERS

Leo Chang Peter Turner

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

bedrock. After we had both read the general outline of the other, we met up to practice our oral submissions. We posed questions of one another and were general nuisances regarding citations, facts, and quotations, simulating the worst-case scenarios for one another. After two dry runs, we touched up our submissions, fiddled with the order, and were (relatively) ready to present.

L: During the few weeks that Peter and I had to prepare, we only met twice over Zoom before our first presentation. We individually read over the entirety of the materials, met up to allocate the work, and then we prepared our cases individually (although we left each P: Mooting is broken up into two parts. First, you have the written other little notes on the shared document if something strange submissions component which is where you provide a summary, arose). The individual preparation involved reading international with sources, of your key arguments that you wish to present. treaties and cross-referencing the relevant case law before the This part is where my team I undertake the bulk of our International Court of Justice. International law is procedurally preparation. We concisely formed our arguments in written form, complex, and so we had to determine whether each specific ruling researched cases and legislation to support such arguments, and 11 of the ICJ was in line with the question before the moot court. practised our oral submissions to each other. Here, this is where International statute relies heavily on interpretation notes and the second component becomes important. Once we had our written submissions, we then went on to prepare our oral explanatory memoranda, and our case was rather light on submissions which was basically an extension to what we had precedent, given its relative rarity. Accordingly, both Peter and I written. We determined who was going to speak on each of our constructed our submissions to align with this new procedural

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arguments while considering some of the potential questions that we could get asked by the judges. This was done by ensuring we had all the information on the sources such as the facts of each of the cases and whether or not the case had been cited in any other judgements.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

L: This moot took up approximately three hours a week, which I managed to fit in here and there. What helped the most was comprehending what I needed to achieve without overstating or underestimating the scale of the task. The process to prepare for mooting is generally reading, research, writing, and rehearsal.

Each task is interspersed with the others, but I have found that a ratio of 1:4:3:2 is a good loose structure. For every minute spent reading, there’s usually nine minutes spent working on a submission. Knowing that I had one week to familiarise myself with the materials before my first meeting with Peter, I set a few timeslots aside to read over the documents and take notes. I managed to knock it over in two hours, replete with notes and with some ideas of where to go. After the meeting, I scheduled my work backwards, with the next meeting with Peter serving as a deadline. I fit in the hours where they would go, with backup options for each week in the event of an emergency. Despite the difficulties inherent in scheduling, it’s better to know when crunch time will occur well before you have to undertake it — you can work a little in advance to lessen the pressure when it arises.

P: Mooting is one of those competitions within MULS that requires so much time. I think it is not something that should be taken lightly as some of the preparation such as that of case law research can possibly take hours. It is thus important to ensure that you can balance the competition with assignment deadlines, social catch ups with friends and family, and other work commitments. For me, the main thing that helped me was the use of my calendar. Before I committed to participating in the competition, I cross-checked the dates with assignment due dates and class times. I ensured that I was able to have adequate time to fit in the preparation and competition dates within my schedule. Also, the other way I managed to balance this competition with my other commitments was teamwork and delegating the work across everyone rather than it just falling on one person. This makes things so much easier and gives everyone more time to balance other commitments with the mooting schedule.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? How did you overcome it?

L: Despite having taken international law as a second year unit, I was still generally unfamiliar with some forms of procedural trickery. The teams’ oral submissions and written submissions were given a dispensation and were allowed to adhere to

Australian procedural norms, but my research was slowed down as I kept track of a kaleidoscope of jurisdictions and case types and new citations and different legal databases. I was flummoxed by long strings of letters to which I have now afforded significance, and I searched for documents using enough search engine parameters to warrant keeping particularly useful strings in my shared document. The difficulty rests primarily in the fact that any attempt at research could be prematurely halted by an ambiguous footnote or the search for a relevant document. The process of connecting the dots was so regularly interrupted by my unfamiliarity with the materials that I structured a quick-and-dirty glossary with the relevant citations repositories, and websites whenever some puzzle was solved. Keeping a glossary helped immensely, as I could usually figure out what kind of materials I needed to support a submission from the structure of the citation, avoiding all of the Spanish or Swahili language versions to find the English decision, and then referencing the necessary section of the AGLC to cite it properly.

P: Arguably, the most difficult aspect of mooting competitions is the questions from the judges while you are speaking. Mooting is very different to that of debating for example where you have uninterrupted speaking time. At any time during the speaking time in the moot, the judges can interrupt you and ask you any question from the facts of a case to elaborating on a certain point in your submissions. For me, the only way to overcome this is preparation.

It is so important to know your arguments off my heart, the cases and legislation that you have used including the facts of the case and how it relates to your arguments. Practising your oral submissions can also, for me at least, help me get across my arguments which allows me to turn my attention to the possible questions that could be asked.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

L: The International Human Rights Law moot is unlike most other moots; it is (as the name suggests) a moot that deals with international law. In a personal sense, it has allowed me to meet a great number of fellow students either interested in international law or so moot-frenzied that they were willing to take anything on offer. Many of the people I’ve met over the course of the moot, including judges, organisers, and fellow participants, are kind people who I’ve continued to interact with since then. So, for the social seekers, rest assured in knowing that moots will help you connect with others, and very few things kickstart a friendship like a common enemy (being the question, not the organisers).

Professionally, the moot allowed me to develop a greater understanding of international law, which doesn’t seem like that big of a deal in the workplace. I will admit that the substantive aspects of international law might not be as important in domestic law (or at least, in the contexts in which I work), but the procedural aspects have made me far more confident when I navigate international materials and their related citations. Some muscle memory was built up when it comes to my capacity to quote and recall international materials, and being in the hot seat with a fellow student allowed us to struggle through the learning part together.

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P: Mooting has so many great practical benefits both personally and professionally. Mooting has improved my confidence in public speaking and providing me the ability to adapt well under pressure. It has taught me what works well and what doesn’t work when trying to construct arguments in the legal profession.

The feedback that is provided throughout the mooting experience allows you to improve upon all areas including your writing and speaking abilities. Mooting has allowed me to feel more comfortable in courtroom etiquette allowing me to understand processes in the professional environmental. Finally, mooting offers great networking opportunities with legal professionals such as solicitors, barristers, and judges. The insights from these parties can be invaluable.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

L: Mooting with international law feels different to a regular moot.

If I’d read through a couple of similar cases before I’d begun my research, I’d have figured out which areas I had to focus on, and which were more wastes of time. I skimmed case memoranda, read over the facts of certain cases on encyclopaedias, and approached the problem historically when I should have been using a legal matrix. Some examples: there are different procedural steps in an international case which don’t align with domestic law, there are special depositories of case law which show which cases apply to which conventions, there are binding commentaries approved by some UN body which hold for all cases, and finding English versions of a particular material may be difficult if you can’t find the English website first. If I had familiarised myself further with the ways in which international law is practiced, I would have saved myself a great deal of time and pain. On the other hand, that pain has now ensured that I can use the international materials section of the AGLC with precision (the likes of which I had not possessed before), so perhaps there is a virtue in suffering for one’s betterment.

P: One of the best tips I knew before starting the competition is the importance of flexibility in argumentation. As stated above, judges can ask you any question at any time. It is therefore so important to be able to be flexible with how you present your arguments. While preparation can mitigate this, sticking a strict script can actually be a great disadvantage to you. Rather, I would say it is more effective to understand the legal principles and case law surrounding your arguments. Listening carefully to the judge’s concerns and responding directly rather than deflecting will assist greatly in answering questions and adapting to the argument. Structuring arguments clearly and concisely also ensures that key points are communicated effectively, even under pressure.

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Contracts MOOT DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

4/5 3.5/5

The Contract Law Moot is a dynamic competition where you will have the opportunity to apply the principles of contract law covered in your LAWS1200 unit. This moot is designed to challenge your understanding of key concepts such as offer and acceptance, consideration, breach of contract, remedies, and can also include elements from Property and/or Business Organisations.

Since this is a subject-based moot, more weighting is given to legal arguments to advocacy skills.

Anthony Baker Jayden Wood Nirvana Prasad

Q&A WITH THE 2024 WINNERS

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

know the facts. Extensive and well presented legal research is key to mooting, but if that research does not align with your team's argument on a given set of facts it is of no use. Before a competition I will read the facts multiple times, highlight key elements, then read the facts again. It can be very easy to overlook or misunderstand certain parts of a moot brief which may be essential to your argument. I try to constantly come back to the facts as I am researching to ensure I am addressing them properly. In terms of preparing for oral submissions, I found that watching videos of high level mooters was a good way to prepare. Strong advocates demonstrate exceptional body language and confident oratory skills, keeping these small details in mind when preparing helped me to better understand the intricacies of mooting.

A: An important step that can often be overlooked when preparing for a competition is to read the relevant rules for the respective competition. Each competition has specific rules about when written submissions are due, length of written submissions, speaking time, e.t.c. The length of written submissions and length of speaking time can change as the competition progresses, so it is important to be familiar with the rules going into the competition so as to not be caught off guard. An understanding of rules related to etiquette and point scoring can also give you the edge in a close round.

J: My preparation starts with broad collaborative research with the team. The first time reading a set of mooting facts can be overwhelming, so starting with general background research is essential. Consulting past notes and floating ideas and opinions with the team early allows everyone to be on the same page. I have found that the most essential preparation is to read and

How did. you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

N: When the moot was underway, that became my main

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priority. Personally, I was very competitive and spent a lot of my spare time on moot preparation. To balance this with normal lectures and tutorials was difficult, but I managed by doing the most important pieces of work for each subject and then turning my attention back to the moot. In terms of outside commitments, I did find myself having to change my work schedule occasionally to be there on mooting days, and I had to skip my martial arts classes for the same reason, but it was worth it. Sometimes things work out really smoothly, and sometimes they clash.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

A: The competition has shown me that small errors or oversights in the formulation of an argument can be costly and I have improved greatly in my drafting process because of it. In terms of my personal development, I have found that many of the judges I have had often have great advice about mooting, but also about the skills involved and how they will be useful as a professional in the future. There has also been an improvement in my public speaking abilities since I started mooting. I have found that my organisational abilities have improved from balancing mooting and other commitments and I would say that my communication skills have improved from working as a team during the competition.

J: Two points which helped me balance the workload of mooting with other commitments have been early research and delegation within the team. By doing the bulk of the legal research early on you give yourself a chance to assess how much time you will need to feel confident going into the moot. I have made the mistake of leaving myself short of time to fully understand legal principles, this mistake can be compounded by coursework and other uni commitments. Do your research early. Written submissions can be finalised and polished in a relatively short amount of time compared to the time needed to understand the legal issues in contention. The second point is to clearly set out who will do what within your team. Mooting is all about having a strong understanding of your team and how they best work together. Communicate early on with your team to delegate tasks. Set clear outlines on who will work on what area of the submission and make sure you are not wasting time working on the same area.

N: Mooting has taught me so many skills I doubt I would have learnt from any other extracurricular. For example, I learnt how to structure oral arguments, how to answer questions on the spot, and how to analyse another team's work under a looming deadline.

Professionally, these skills will be invaluable to my future career, and personally, they have built my confidence and appreciation for law.

The competitions have also allowed me to network with other students, alumni and faculty members that I had not met before. I have made some great friends and look forward to making more.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? How did you overcome it?

A: One tip that I wish I knew before starting is gaining confidence and familiarity with a specific moot takes time and it is important to be perseverant. Mooting is an entirely new structure and set of skills compared to other aspects of law school. As mooting competitions have their own rules and skills involved, my tip is not to expect to be excellent right away. It is important to pay attention to the feedback early on and not be intimidated by struggling with questions from the judge. As the competition progresses, there will be a visible difference in ability as long as persevere and listen to feedback.

N: The hardest part of the Contracts Moot was sifting through case law to find the one sentence you were looking for. I lost count of how many judgments I read looking for information about a very niche set of facts. While it was a little bit tiring to read through pages and pages of complex legal jargon from the early/mid 20th century, it was also very interesting to read small sections that felt irrelevant to our case only to find out they were crucial. That happened a few times, and I remember combing through some very long judgments trying to find one of those sentences that I could not remember. Nothing could beat the joy of finally finding it and seeing that it proves the exact point you're trying to make.

J: Make notes of all the feedback you receive. Through competing in moots you will have the opportunity to appear in front of many extremely experienced and knowledgeable judges. Every moot will be an opportunity to receive invaluable feedback on your written submissions, oral presentation and mooting more generally.

Sometimes you may receive feedback which is contradictory or confusing, however it can still add to your overall understanding of what mooting is. I found early on that I got caught in the stress and excitement of each round and was not effectively absorbing the feedback I was receiving. Mooting is about learning from your mistakes and improving round on round. Writing down your feedback will allow you to consciously address areas of weakness and existing strengths, ultimately giving you more confidence to appear in front of the judges for the next round.

A: The most difficult aspect of the competition, for me, has been answering questions from the Bench. The most important way I have overcome this is through building my confidence through practice. Receiving questions from judges will always be a daunting situation and the best way to learn is to experience it. I have found that each time I have dealt with answering a tough question, I have learned and improved from that experience. I would say that I have become much better at overcoming tough questions in front of a crowd and further practice will only help me improve my confidence and become better from it.

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Criminal Law MOOT DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

4/5 3.5/5

The Criminal Law Moot is another subject-based competition where you will have the opportunity to apply the principles of criminal law covered in your LAWS1300 unit. This moot is designed to challenge your understanding of key concepts such as criminal liability, mens rea, actus reus, and defences. Similarly to the Contracts Moot, more weighting is given to legal arguments to advocacy skills.

Q&A WITH THE 2024 WINNERS

ANTHONY BAKER JAYDEN WOOD GLORIA YOON NIRVANA PRASAD

principles and potential counterarguments to anticipate any challenges from the opposing team. This preparation helped us feel more confident and prepared before each round

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

G: First of all, we reviewed the tips and feedback we received from an earlier moot to understand areas for improvement and refine our approach. We set up a collaborative workspace using Google Docs and thoroughly analysed the moot question. We highlighted all the key facts and relevant legislation. If we had any case law we thought could be relevant, we also noted them down. This step ensured we fully understood the issues at hand and could address them in depth.

Additionally, we practiced drafting persuasive arguments that were concise yet comprehensive. The speaker’s arguments were then practised out loud and timed to ensure that speakers did not go over or under their time limit. This step was extremely important because it allowed speakers to control their pace, lengthen or shorten their argument, or consider effective breaks in their presentation. It was also important to consider the time spent on answering the judges’ questions on the spot. Finally, we researched broader legal

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N: Once the question was announced, my team and I put it onto a shared document and dissected it, searching for potential arguments and counterarguments. We then did research into the main cases for the particular areas specified in the question and added in extra cases from our findings. Usually our submissions would be too long at this point, so we would need to cut things out and make it as simple and readable as possible. From here, we would read each others' work and point out any holes in our arguments. Generally, that was the procedure we undertook.

A: Prior to the commencement of any mooting competition, there is preparation involved in order to be successful. Before a competition, I always discuss the expectations and roles that myself and each of my team members will undertake. It is important to be aware of everyone’s schedules and discuss who will be speaking

each week, as well as discuss who will be writing and researching for different parts of each submission. This allows the team to function and work cohesively moving forward. Aside from corresponding with my team, I make sure that I have a knowledge and practical understanding of the area of law that is covered by the competition. Both research and applying the law to the facts is made easier if you already have a working understanding of the law going into the competition.

G: The most difficult aspects of the competition were managing the workload, finding strong case law for every argument, and handling unexpected questions from the judges. Balancing the heavy workload was challenging, as we had to juggle research, written submissions, and oral practice while managing other responsibilities. To overcome this, we set clear deadlines and divided tasks based on individual strengths. This ensured that everyone contributed and avoided feeling overwhelmed.

Another major challenge was finding extensive case law to support each argument. At times, we struggled to find strong precedents, which slowed down our progress. We employed targeted research techniques, such as locating keywords on legal databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis. The judges would ask about specific case law, so we needed to be on track with the facts and decisions of our case law.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

G: Balancing other commitments with the mooting schedule required time management and simple organisation techniques. I found that complex schedules only overwhelmed myself, so I chose to stick to a simple task-based schedule. Before the competition began, I reviewed all my academic, work, and personal commitments to identify deadlines and priorities. Our team and I would allocate specific days to come together and practise oral arguments and discuss case law. Oral argument practice was definitely more effective when we were helping each other out and suggesting ways to make it flow better. When unexpected commitments arose, I was honest with my teammates and discussed ways we could adjust timelines or reassign tasks. This helped our team to work effectively, but also strengthened our connection. We understood each other when other commitments had to be prioritised.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

A: The competition has shown me that small errors or oversights in the formulation of an argument can be costly and I have improved greatly in my drafting process because of it. In terms of my personal development, I have found that many of the judges I have had often have great advice about mooting, but also about the skills involved and how they will be useful as a professional in the future. There has also been an improvement in my public speaking abilities since I started mooting. I have found that my organisational abilities have improved from balancing mooting and other commitments and I would say that my communication skills have improved from working as a team during the competition.

A: Like many students, I balance multiple aspects of life including work, university and extracurricular activities, because of this, I have found that I need to have a clear idea on how to balance priorities and maximise the time I have. This means an extremely organised schedule with set out amounts of time allocated to university work, mooting and any other activities, is necessary.

When I am organised and have a plan set out in front of me, it is easier to find a balance and not accidentally let one aspect of life overpower or affect another. An important part of balancing other commitments with mooting is understanding that sometimes stepping away from a screen and doing something with friends to relax is important to reset and avoid burnout. I believe that making sure that your time is being used productively is key to balancing a schedule with so many other commitments.

J: Mooting builds confidence. By applying legal research and oral advocacy skills that you are exposed to throughout your law degree in a moot you will get a chance to make mistakes and improve. Nobody starts mooting knowing all the answers. By entering mooting competitions I have had the opportunity to test myself and receive invaluable feedback from experienced judges. Additionally, mooting connects you with engaged law students and legal professionals. I have had the chance to meet and talk with people who are passionate about the work they do and are willing to provide guidance on entering the profession.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? How did you overcome it?

N: I wish I knew how much time and dedication it would take to prepare everything. Although I knew mooting was a big commitment, I had never spent so much time on any extracurricular until I started the Criminal Moot. I spent many late nights research and writing submissions, only to delete it all and start again later. It was exhausting but also very rewarding and I would definitely do it all over again if necessary.

N: The most difficult part of the Criminal Moot was how complex the question was. There were parts of it that involved law from units no one in my team had studied yet. We relied mostly on statutes for the parts we had not studied, but found that we quickly learnt the content by reading up on cases anyway. There was also so much nuance to the argument that we did not realise until the preliminary rounds were over. It was a very exciting experience to jump headfirst into a mix of law I was familiar with as well as law I had never seen before.

A: One tip I have for going into any competition is to not expect to be excellent at it straight away. I found that listening to feedback and working on the skills I needed to improve on resulted in a steady improvement until the end of competition.

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Private Law MOOT DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

4/5 3.5/5

The Private Law Moot will be a competition designed to challenge your understanding of key concepts in Equity and Trusts, Torts, Business Organisations, and other areas of private law, with a strong focus on commercial law principles.

This moot is strongly recommended to students who have done at least 2/3 of the above subjects. This moot provides an excellent opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world legal problems that commonly arise in the business and commercial sectors. This will be the first time this moot has been run since 2022.

Q&A WITH THE 2025 COORDINATOR

HAYDEN LEE

What is the Private Law Moot

legal reasoning. The "yes or no" approach is particularly effective, as it clearly communicates your stance and makes it easier for the judge to follow your argument.

The Private Law Moot has been revamped and expanded to explore a wider range of legal areas that align with student interests, including Equity and Trusts, Tort Law, and Corporate Law. Participants will be presented with an appeals case featuring a strong commercial focus, tackling complex grounds of appeal that will deepen their legal knowledge while providing an exciting challenge. Designed for third-year students and above, the competition offers a unique opportunity to engage with real-world litigation problems and refine advocacy skills in a practical setting.

What preparation should competitors undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

Thorough preparation is key to success in this competition. I strongly recommend having a deep understanding of both your argument and the legal principles that support it. Being well-versed in your position will allow you to engage with the judges more confidently, making the oral argument feel like a structured discussion rather than an intimidating experience.

Prior to the competition, I also recommend identifying potential gaps in your argument and draft responses to those gaps in advance. This will help you anticipate challenging questions and ensure you're fully prepared for any unexpected twists during the competition.

What will the judges be looking for?

Judges expect clear and direct answers to their questions.

Competitors sometimes lose focus and get caught up in the details, which can weaken their response. To avoid this, it's crucial to establish your position immediately before expanding on the

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Championship MOOT DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

5/5 5/5

The Championship Moot will be where the highestperforming mooters from all competitions come together to compete in an elite setting. This Competition brings together top students to answer hypothetical scenarios including, but not limited to, contract law, criminal law, constitutional law, and tort law, providing a comprehensive platform for showcasing the depth and breadth of legal knowledge. This competition will be semi-selective, and the Vice-President will reserve the right to select teams if numbers are too high.

Q&A WITH THE 2025 COORDINATOR

HAYDEN LEE

highly recommend knowing the facts of the case. The judges build their questions on these facts, so having a deep understanding of them will enable you to confidently and effectively answer any question that comes your way. To do this, with your teammates, regularly quiz each other on the facts of the case this will further help you anticipate and prepare for the types of questions you might face. This practice will not only help you think on your feet but also strengthen your ability to connect facts to legal principles.

What is the Championship Moot and how does it differ from other competitions?

The Championship Moot differs from other competitions as it is designed for students who have excelled in mooting or have demonstrated success and seek a highly challenging competition to participate in. Unlike other mooting competitions, the Championship Moot differs in the fact that it does not focus on a particular area of the law, rather the question can range from a broad spectrum of legal topics, such as contract, criminal, tort and corporations law to name a few.

What will the judges be looking for?

Judges are looking for how you engage with their questions, as it reflects your ability to think critically and stay composed under pressure. Often, their questions are designed to guide you, so if they hint at another aspect of your submission, it's important to acknowledge it and smoothly transition to that point. This shows that you’re not only knowledgeable but also flexible and responsive in adapting your argument.

What preparation should competitors undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

To be fully prepared for the oral argument in the competition, I

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WITNESS EXAMINATION: Witness Examination (WitEx) Competition are simulated courtroom proceedings similar to a mock trial. Students will take on the roles of either prosecution or defence, and will participate in the structure of a trial. However, students have the added element of interacting with witnesses in this form of competition. The witness will be given a witness statement prior, and competitors will have the chance to conduct Examination-in-Chief and Cross-Examination with witnesses. Examination-in-chief involves questioning your own witnesses, and being able to elicit evidence in a clear and persuasive way without leading your witness. Conversely, cross-examination will include questioning the opposing side’s witnesses to test their reliability and credibility.

DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

5/5 1.5/5

SAMPLE WITEX STRUCTURE PREPARING YOUR CASE

1 PREPARATION As the scenario is given on the day, conduct prior preparation by familiarising yourself with the Evidence Act and case law.

RECEIVING THE HYPOTHETICAL

2

The scenario will be given either 3 hours (for preliminary rounds) or 90 minutes before. Spend this time to formulate a case theory and to brief the witness.

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WITEX BEGINS

3 PROSECUTION’S OPENING (2 MINS) For around 2 minutes, the Prosecution will provide a brief overview to the Bench that will outline your case theory.

PROSECUTION EXAMINATIONIN-CHIEF (10-15 MINS)

4

In Examination-in-Chief, the Prosecution will call their own witness to provide evidence in support of their case. This will often take around 10 minutes in the preliminaries, and 15 minutes in the Grand Final.

5

CROSS EXAMINATION FROM THE DEFENCE (15-25 MINS) The Defence will then try and find inconsistencies in the witness’ testimony in order to disprove their case theory.. This will be 15 minutes in the preliminaries, and 25 minutes in the grand field.

DEFENCE’S OPENING (2 MINS)

6

For around 2 minutes, the Defence will have their turn of providing a brief overview of their case theory to the Bench.

7 CROSS EXAMINATION SCORING FROM THE PROSECUTOR (15-25 MINS) The Prosecution will now have their turn to try and find inconsistencies in the Defence witness’ testimony in order to disprove their case theory.. This will be 15 minutes in the preliminaries, and 25 minutes in the grand field.

DEFENCE EXAMINATION IN CHIEF (10-15 MINS) Similarly to the Prosecution, the Defence will now be able to call their own witness to provide evidence in support of their case.

This will often take around 10 minutes in the preliminaries, and 15 minutes in the Grand Final.

8 9

SUMMATION FROM BOTH PARTIES (3 MINS) Both parties will take it in turns to summarise their key points, reinforce their strongest arguments, point out the inconsistencies in their opponent’s arguments and ultimately try to persuade the Bench to rule in their favour.

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HOW TO PREPARE: Initial Preparation Competitors should thoroughly understand evidence rules and the Evidence Act before the round starts. Knowing which questions are permissible and what evidence is objectionable will significantly benefit participants. First-time competitors are also encouraged to watch past grand final rounds to familiarise themselves with competition etiquette and operations.

Before Trial Competitors are given 3 hours to prepare during the preliminary rounds and 90 minutes before the final rounds. Therefore, they should make the most of this limited time to review the witness statements, brief the witness, develop their case for trial, and identify key lines of questioning.

Competitors should; 1.Develop your case theory This process requires competitors to carefully analyse the statements of both witnesses and developing a case theory—a narrative built around your version of the events. The case theory should be introduced in the opening arguments and should identify key facts, assess witness credibility and examine the evidence strength.

2. Revise the relevant features of evidence law.

Competitors must prepare for outlining the law in relation with the relevant offence. After the introduction of case theory during the trial, the prosecution is responsible for introducing the charge, the relevant legislation and to outline the elements need to be satisfied for the conviction to be met. The opening should make express reference to the burden that must be discharged and why it is or is not met. The Defence as the counterpart should focus on the agreed elements and reference the differing standard of proof required.

3. Prepare the Witness.

This includes reviewing the scenario's facts, practicing examination-in-chief questions, preparing the witness for crossexamination, and addressing any issues in witness statements.

However, it is essential to avoid "coaching" by giving scripted answers or encouraging the witness to alter or fabricate facts.

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WHAT IS A CASE THEORY? The goal of the Witness Examination is to establish a convincing enough case theory to persuade the judges. A case theory in witness examination is the central narrative that a Competitor will develop to guide how evidence is presented, how witnesses are questioned, and how arguments are structured.

LEADING V NONLEADING QUESTIONS? Leading Questions are questions that suggest or imply a particular answer. While leading questions are commonly used in cross-examination, they are generally not permissible during examination-in-chief or re-examination under the Evidence Act s37 (except in limited circumstances).

“You enjoy your job, don’t you?” = Leading as it suggests a positive response.

Evidence

How do you feel about your job? = Not-leading as it is a neutral proposition.

1. Procedural FairnessRule in Browne v Dunn 2. Relevance- Evidence Act ss 55, 56.

3. Hearsay EvidenceEvidence Act s 59 4. Opinion EvidenceEvidence Act ss 76, 77, 78 5. Character- Evidence Act ss 109, 110, 111 and 112.

6. Leading the Witness (not in evidence in chief) - Evidence Act 37

7. Evidence Illegally or Improperly ObtainedEvidence Act ss 137-9 8. Badgering the Witness Evidence Act s 41 9. Other Grounds for objection a. General, vague or nonspecific questions b.

Unintelligible or confusing questions c. Duplicitous questions d. Questions that assume facts not in evidence e. Questions that are argumentative, oppressive or irrelevant.

RULES 47

JUDGING CRITERIA: 01 Written Submissions Your written submissions will be based on the quality of legal analysis, depth of research, and correct structure.

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02 Legal Research

Legal Analysis

Depth of legal research and understanding of case law and statutes.

Ability to apply legal principles to the facts of the case.

CHARLIE MACKENZIE

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

The first thing I did was ask previous competitors what their experience was, because I had no idea what it would be like going in. That was really helpful because you realise how adaptable and tactile you have to be for a witness examination.

The second thing I did was read two papers that were repeatedly recommended to me, the first was Irving Younger's '10 Commandments of Cross Examination'. It is an incredibly useful explanation of how cross examination works, what angles you need to take in questioning, and what sort of questions you need to ask to get the witness to where you want them. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is considering competing in the witness examination competition. The second one is paper written by District Court Judge Peter Berman SC, called 'The 10 Commandments of Evidence in Chief'. It is written in the same vein as Irving Younger's paper, but more to do with evidence in How did manage to recommend balance your other chief.

I think anyyou barrister would highly both papers with as commitments I was recommended by the manymooting people, andschedule? they were really helpful to prepare for the competition.

L: This moot took up approximately three hours a week, which I managed to fit in here and there. What helped the most was comprehending what I needed to achieve without overstating 48or underestimating the scale of the task. The process to prepare for mooting is generally reading, research, writing, and rehearsal. Each

04 Time Management Making sure you allocate your time efficiently for your key arguments. Also includes not rushing or exceeding the allotted time.

Q&A WITH THE 2024 WINNER t

The other thing I found incredibly helpful was just practising with people. I would pick a section out of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), and write a short sequence of events in the form of a witness statement that incorporates the crime somehow and then I would give it to a friend that would read it and I would practise with them. Getting experience with people pushing back on you, or saying something you don’t expect was invaluable because that absolutely happens when you’re actually competing.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

Thankfully the competition times were all after work or uni, generally starting about 7:30pm. Around assessments it did become slightly more stressful because there would be times I would have an assignment due the same night that I was competing all through the evening, but I mean like any law student you’ve got to be good at time management otherwise you fall behind pretty quickly. So, making sure that the time I did spend practising was not time that I would spend otherwise

t

competed in at university. So, what I got in terms of professional development was more the relationships I built just from connecting on a personal level over competing at university.

studying was really important for me. But that said the nature of the witness examination competition is that you’re not given the materials until a few hours before you compete, so the amount of preparation that you can do is generally pretty minimal. It’s a great competition to do if you don’t have a lot of preparation time on your hands, because a lot of the competition is thinking on your feet.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

By far the most difficult aspect of the competition was that when you are listening to the other competitor doing cross examination, you need to know what you can and can’t object to. I hadn’t done evidence yet. So having to learn on the fly what I could object to How did you manage to balance your other and at the same time being able to listen to the narrative that my commitments withwas thereally mooting opponent was constructing difficult. schedule?

L: This moot took upsay approximately three hours a week,it which I wouldn’t necessarily that I overcame it, because is a I managed to fit in here and there.

What helped the most was necessary part of the competition. The way I approached my comprehending what I needed to achieve without overstating shortcoming was that I just had to remember what my strengths or underestimating theofscale task. The process prepare were and be mindful whatofmytheweaknesses were. I to knew that I for mooting is generally reading, research, writing, and rehearsal. wasn’t going to score particularly well in the objections side, soEach I task is interspersed with the others, but I have found that a ratio of had to make sure that my examination in chief, and cross 1:4:3:2 is a good loose structure. For every minute spent reading, examination were really strong. The way I went about that was there’s usually nine minutes spent working on a submission. Knowing making sure that I asked questions from every single angle. So that I had one week to familiarise myself with the materials before my for example, if there was someone who was assaulted at a train first meeting with Peter, I set a few timeslots aside to read over the station, I would asktake where on I the platform notin just documents and notes. managed to they knockwere, it over two that hours, confirm they wereand on with the platform.

It was little things thatthe repletethat with notes some ideas of where to go.like After that ended I up helpingmy mework score really well that side of the meeting, scheduled backwards, withinthe next meeting with competition, andasI think made up my lack knowledge in thego, Peter serving a deadline.

I fit for in the hoursofwhere they would evidence side. options for each week in the event of an emergency. with backup Despite the difficulties inherent in scheduling, it’s better to know when crunch time will occur well before you have to undertake it — How has aided you when in your you can workthis a littlecompetition in advance to lessen the pressure it arises.

personal and professional development?

S: Participating in the competition has been beneficial in a multitude different ways. Firstly, my research and skills definitely In of terms of personal development, I foundspeed that forcing myself to improved from trawling through various cases to find relevant think in a really methodical and logical process that evidence-inexcerpts. We certainly gained familiarity with legal citations, which chief requires, and then immediately having to switch to a much paid off when working on problem question assignments! The more flexible and tactile way of weaving a narrative in in cross feedback generously provided by judges throughout the competition examination was a type of thinking that I had never done before. It also served to strengthen these skills. We became more aware of the gave me a new perspective on law that I otherwise would not importance of precedential value and began cross-checking our have gotten-- which is thatthey law iswere madepersuasive. up of stories, each sideoral references to ensure Presenting hassubmissions a story and was a perspective, and trying to discern the truthinfrom an effective way to build confidence public thespeaking. two stories is really difficult.

But once you start to nailfrom thatthe Furthermore, we were required to parse questions down it and makes everything you indorealat time, Uni improving much easier.

You to bench provide a response the ability become less concerned with just reciting back statute, and more think on our feet. Being able to articulate arguments in a convincing concerned witha explaining the situation or theinspace which theand manner is highly valuable skill both the in academic professional worlds.

Furthermore, engage mooting question is being asked, because willingness nothing is toever just in ‘this or demonstrates and strong work ethic to future employers. I that’, it’s always initiative a combination.

In my professional development,

am lucky enough to have been working at a barrister’s chambers at the time that I was in the competition, occasionally I would go and ask some barristers that often do cross examination for some tips. Instead of tips, they were mostly just very interested in learning about the competition and telling me about moots they

49

I’m the sort of person that really hates being wrong. One thing that became really apparent to me in the competition is judges respect it a lot more when you just admit if you don’t know something. It’s much easier and is better for you in the long run to just say “I cannot assist the court with that matter” than to try and give the judge an answer and go down a rabbit hole of them asking questions and wasting your cross examination or evidence-in-chief time. Another thing that I absolutely wish I knew was the formalities, knowing when to say may it please the court, or how to present your closing argument (or in my case, that I had to present one) would have been incredibly helpful in the earlier rounds.

But if I could give one tip to anyone considering competing in witness examination or any moot competition it would be just to keep in mind that everyone else is just as nervous as you are.

Everyone else feels just as overwhelmed as you, and when you’re competing against someone, they’re learning at the same time as you are. If you are considering a career in advocacy there is no better way to prepare for it than to compete in moot while you are at university.

INTERVARSITY ADVOCACY COMPS Macquarie University Law School has a proud tradition of participating in intervarsity advocacy competitions. These are external competitions conducted between teams from different universities.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS COMPETITIONS

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PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: Professional Skills Competitions focus on developing practical, client-facing skills that extend beyond the traditional advocacy roles of lawyers. Instead, these competitions encompass areas such as negotiations, client interviews and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) Competitions.

CLIENT INTERVIEWS: DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

2/5 2/5

Client interview competitions are where law students simulate a real-world consultation between a lawyer and a client. Participants are assessed on their ability to build rapport, elicit information, analyse legal issues, and provide clear preliminary advice. MULS runs a JUNIOR and SENIOR client interview.

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30 MIN SAMPLE CLIENT INTERVIEW STRUCTURE:

1 RECEIVING THE OFFICE MEMORANDUM

INTRODUCTION AND FORMALITIES (5 MINS)

2

Prior to the competition, all teams will receive an Office Memorandum. This will briefly describe the client’s problem in 1-2 sentences.

Firstly, state you and your teammate’s name. and role. Use small talk to break the ice and build rapport. Talk about your aims for the session, and reassure them that everything they tell you is private and confidential.

3

IDENTIFY THE ISSUE (10 MINS) Use open ended questions, active listening, structural guides to encourage a client to continue describing the problem. Conclude this section by idenitifying and summarising the client’s problem.

INFORMATION GATHERING AND PROVIDING SOLUTIONS (10 MINS)

4

For the next 10(ish) minutes, gather the information necessary to begin the resolution of the client’s problem.

Once you are provided the facts and information, try and provide solutions (legal and non-legal) that client can SCORING take as the next step.

CONCLUSION OF INTERVIEW (3-5 MINS)

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For the final 3-5 minutes, confirm everything your team and client have gone through Identify any uncertainties / anything you haven’t gone through yet. State the actions that will be undertaken by the solution and what will be done by the client to avoid any miscommunication and builds client confidence .

6

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RESULT Following both teams’ consultation with the judges, judges present the outcome of the round as well as constructive feedback to improve your interview skills.

This process will happen for each round of the competition and the teams with the best scores would proceed to quarterfinals, semi-finals and grand finals.

1.

Don’t over think it: client interviewing is about understanding what the client needs to hear (ie ideas of confidentiality and cost agreements).

ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE Once the five minutes is over, you will be invited back into the room and client will leave. For five minutes, the judge will ask you questions about your performance to assist them decide who should win the competition. Teams will assess their overall performance and identify their strengths and weaknesses while conducting a post-interview consultation with the judges.

TIPS FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

2.

3.

Speak slowly: clients are usually nervous; speak slower to make them feel more at ease and for them to better understand.

Don’t use legal jargon: Make all your points easy to understand for your client.

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HOW TO PREPARE: 1

FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE MEMORANDUM Carefully read the Memorandum to anticipate any facts, issues and legal considerations that may be raised.

Make note to any important details that you believe will need clarification during the interview. Finally, consider possible client concerns and anticipate follow-up questions.

2

PRACTICE WITH YOUR PARTNER There are different approaches to practicing with your partner in order to improve. Some common ways are alternating between being the lawyer and the client. This helps both partners understand the dynamic and the type of questions each role might ask. Also, practice a wide range of scenarios (such as purposely replicating difficult or evasive clients). Conduct each practice to a set time limit in order to mimic the Competition structure and improve time management. After each session with your partner, provide constructive feedback.

3

RESEARCH WHAT ADVICE TO GIVE Research legal and non-legal actions that could be taken based on what is provided in the Office Memorandum. Anticipate your clients wants and concerns, and research what advice that will serve the client’s goals most effectively.

01 Management of Goals and Expectations Your skills in determining and analysing the client’s problem, goals and expectations;

Jul02 Management of Ethical Issues Be well-versed in professional conduct rules in order to uphold your ethical obligations as a lawyer.

03

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Diverse Courses of Action How well you can suggest and assess different legal and non-legal options to address the client's needs.

04

05 Post Consultation Interview

Demeanour How well you can create a welcoming, yet professional environment.

Includes the ability to build rapport and use active listening skills.

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How well you can evaluate your own performance, discuss the summary of the interview and what the issues were, and discuss future hypothetical courses of action.

Q&A WITH A 2024 SENIOR CLIENT WINNER

ELENA CORRY

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the competition?

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

Before the competition commenced, my teammate, Ruby and I utilised video client interview examples published by MULS and ALSA. This allowed us to properly visualise the competition in practice and understand our role. In the lead-up to a round, Ruby and I would brainstorm what the client’s problem might relate to and conduct further research into the legislation and case law.

This ensured that we were prepared with questions and solutions that would directly assist the client.

The client interview competition has heavily assisted me in building my personal confidence, communication and problem-solving skills. If you are someone who wants to be involved in competitions but finds this daunting or is deterred by time commitments, the client interview competition is an excellent place to start.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the competition schedule?

Research the legislation and case law surrounding the issues to assist you in preparing questions that will be directly relevant to the client’s scenario. Further, research will allow you to provide better client outcomes and relevant steps moving forward including important information such as identifying limitation periods.

Whilst the client interview competition requires less commitment compared to other competitions, effective time management is still important. I use my Google calendar to plan my week and identify periods of free time. Ruby and I would communicate with each other and schedule an hour in the week to sit down and digest the memo.

In this time, we would break down the question and identify issues to independently research. I would then put aside another 30 minutes to conduct the research and create a list of questions. We would then meet an hour before the competition to go over our plan and allocate who would be responsible for each issue. During this competition, I was balancing multiple commitments, however, with proper time management it was very easy to fit the client interview competition into my schedule.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? How did you overcome it?

The most challenging aspect of this competition was the ability to problem solve on the spot and adapt to the client’s situation. During the interview, you may discover something about the client which you have not prepared for. The challenge in this scenario is learning how to adapt and keep the conversation going whilst simultaneously thinking of a solution. Overcoming this came with practice and became easier with each round. However, preparation is key in attempting to uncover what the primary issues and secondary issues may be, mitigating any surprise.

Further, understanding that it is fine to not know all the answers immediately and finding a way to communicate that with your client is helpful.

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NEGOTIATIONS: When you think of a lawyer, you might automatically think of advocating in a big case in front of a jury. However, in reality the majority of matters settle through negotiations outside of court! A Negotiations competition is a legal skills competition where teams of law students represent opposing counsel in a simulated negotiation. This negotiation process replicates the process that is usually undertaken outside of the Courtroom before the litigation. Teams consisting of two students are assigned to a client with the aim of reaching an agreement, either tentative or binding, that best aligns with their respective client’s interest.

DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

3/5 1/5

SAMPLE 50 MIN NEGOTIATION STRUCTURE: PREPARING YOUR CASE

1 PREPARATION Read through the information provided, and try to identify your clients’ interests and BATNA/WATNAs (Best and Worst Alternatives to a Negotiated Agreement). Get creative!

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RECEIVING THE HYPOTHETICAL The scenario for the preliminary rounds are released a minimum of three days prior to the competition.. The scenarios involve two sets of information: first, a common set of facts known by all participants, and, second, additional confidential information known only to the teams representing a particular side in the negotiation.

NEGOTIATION BEGINS

3 INTRODUCTION (2 MINS) Introduce your team and your client. Don’t forget to shake hands.

PRELIMINARIES (6 MINS) Use this time period to introduce your agenda, interests and optimal outcomes..

Don’t forget to also mention the procedural preliminaries of confidentiality, good faith and without prejudice and binding agreements as well.

4 5

EXPLORATION OF INTERESTS (15 MINS) Each team has the opportunity to discuss what is in the client’s best interests and try to resolve mutual interests. This also involves using your discretion as to what information you do or don’t disclose in order to not render yourselves vulnerable.

GENERATING OPTIONS (15 MINS) This time period will be used to actually pick and choose the options you and the opposition will choose.. Be cognisant of your BATNA and WATNA as your two thresholds and try to negotiate a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties.

6 7

SCORING CONFIRMING AGREEMENT/ MOVING FORWARD (5 MINS) Sometimes, the teams will come to a binding agreement at the end of their negotiation. However, if you cannot come to an agreement today, you can always plan to move forward by saying, “ We may not have resolved all the issues today, but we have made meaningful progress. I would like to take some time to further evaluate my client’s position, and I assume you may wish to do the same. Would you be available to reconvene at the same time next week?

FINALISING SOLUTIONS (5 MINS) Use this opportunity to try and decipher any underlying interests not previously addressed by parties. Once all interests have been addressed (or attempted to), start to determine the terms of the contract which will be agreed upon.

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SIGNING AND HANDSHAKE (2 MINS) Thank your opposition for their time in competing against you!

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HOW TO PREPARE: 1

KNOW THE FACTS Carefully reading the facts and taking notes help identify client interests, instructions, and potential issues. A detail-oriented approach ensures teams recall key information quickly and accurately, leading to successful negotiations amid complex scenarios with multiple interests.

2

KNOW THE CLIENT Negotiation teams ultimately represent their clients, and therefore must clearly understand their needs, interests, and expectations. While advocating for their client’s interests, flexibility is key.

Balancing assertiveness and compromise, teams can use traditional or creative approaches to achieve favourable outcomes while considering opposing counsel’s suggestions.

3

DEVELOP A NEGOTIATION STRATEGY Going into the rounds with a clear strategy that prioritises key issues will ensure efficient time use and meaningful discussions. To further increase efficiency, teams should anticipate opposing arguments, allowing for proactive responses and stronger positions. However, flexibility should not be neglected in being able to navigate unexpected challenges and achieving the best possible outcome.

Interest-based Negotiation is a strategy that focuses on understanding and satisfying the underlying interests of all parties rather than fighting to get the best position. The judges tend to favour this approach as it emphasises collaboration over aggressiveness. Key principles include 1. Separating the people from the problem Focus on the issues, and don’t direct frustration to the opposing side. Make sure to always use active listening and empathy to understand the other party’s perspective.

2. Clearly defining your interests In negotiation, a position is what someone states they want, while an interest is the underlying reason or motivation behind that position. Interest-based negotiation shifts the focus from rigid demands to focusing on the deeper needs both parties, leading to more creative and mutually beneficial solutions.

There also might be more interests in common than you might think !

3. Concede lower priority interests By packaging requests together as a bundle (i.e I’ll reduce X, for an increase of Y), linked bargaining allows parties to trade concessions on lower-priority interests in exchange for gains on higher-priority ones.

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BATNA’S/WATNA’S: 1

WHAT IS A BATNA AND A WATNA A BATNA is the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement. It refers to the best alternative course of action a party can take if the current negotiation fails. In contrast, a WATNA is the Worst Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement. It refers to the worst alternative outcome a party might face if the negotiation fails.

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR BATNA AND WATNA Before entering negotiations, evaluate your alternatives and have a clear idea of what your BATNA and WATNA will be. Knowing your BATNA will help you negotiate with leverage, while knowing your WATNA will encourage you to make concessions to avoid a worst-case scenario.

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IDENTIFYING THE OPPOSITION’S BATNA AND WATNA Try to identify the opposition’s BATNA and WATNA to help increase your options as well. For example, if you are fairly sure that their BATNA is weak, this allows you to negotiate your position with more leverage knowing they have limited alternatives. However, if their BATNA is strong, it isn’t a complete catastrophe. It allows you to switch your negotiating to alternative benefits that might not be in their BATNA.

JUDGING CRITERIA: 01 Serving the Client’s interests

02 Teamwork

To what extent The team is did the effective in outcome of the working session serve together and the client’s shared the interests, workload regardless of throughout the the agreement APPELLANT’S ORAL negotiation. reached? SUBMISSIONS

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03 Collaborative Approach

Feb

The team effectively collaborates with opposing counsel in order to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.

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Interests Identification and Analysis The team identifies key interests for their client in the negotiation and demonstrates sophistication in their analysis

05 Flexibility in Approaches

The team is prepared and appeared flexible in their approach during the negotiation

Q&A WITH A 2024 WINNER

TARA BONE

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the competitions schedule?

Prior to each round my negotiation partner and I separately read the common and secret facts and tried to identify our clients’ interests and BATNA/WATNAs (Best and Worst Alternatives to a Negotiated Agreement i.e. best/worst case scenarios if we fail to settle, which usually gives us our ceiling and floor). We then each tried to identify the other sides’ interests and come up with creative options for mutual gain. We would then meet to discuss our thoughts, and often proposed an agenda to the other side of what issues we’d like to discuss and in what order. Occasionally we’d conduct a little research into the industry the scenario related to i.e. insurance or entertainment. Then it was time to negotiate.

Negotiations is a competition which will take up less of your time compared to other comps. It doesn’t require extensive preparation and research for written submissions like mooting, it doesn’t require waiting around for an hour while the other team has their turn like client interviews. It is 50 minutes of negotiation, 10 minutes of reflection, 10 minutes of chatting to the judge, and then feedback.

Part of the challenge is to successfully negotiate a settlement or at least attempt to negotiate on each issue in 50 minutes. It’s very tight and it passes quickly. I found it fun and the least stressful of the competition types I’ve done, as well as one of the most useful. It was easy to balance with other commitments.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

Sometimes a person will try to dominate a negotiation This competition gave me good practice at standing up to that person and making sure I represented my client’s interests. If you’re the dominator, this competition will teach you how to win without being a bully, which in the long term can be very harmful to your career.

The competition also developed my teamwork skills – Ellen and I perfected the good cop/bad cop routine and could build off each other’s arguments from unique perspectives. These are both key skills in one’s personal and professional development. Negotiation is obviously most prevalent in civil disputes, but can come up in any area of law, even in negotiating a plea deal for a criminal client.

To have a strict agenda. If you don’t agree on an agenda before the negotiation via email with the other team, then do so immediately at the start after the handshakes and formalities. Have it down to the minute i.e. “we discuss issue X, Y, and Z each for 15 minutes, then when we have 5 minutes left we can hopefully summarise some agreed terms, or reschedule for next week to continue.” The 50 minutes pass so quickly, and in at least one negotiation I got incredibly frustrated when a person would not stop re-agitating an issue which was clearly unresolvable. There were other matters that needed discussing and could have been resolved, but we simply ran out of time. Also, I highly recommend taking Dispute Management and Resolution as a subject.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? How did you overcome it?

One challenging aspect was facing the reality that some problems are simply not solvable. In most rounds there was a zone of possible agreement – the parties could meet somewhere in the middle while protecting their key interests. In the grand final the problem was not solvable. There was simply no way the parties could agree. This led to a situation where either someone had to ‘lose’, which no competent lawyer would ever do without instructions, or simply say “well, it looks like we’re going to court. We have instructions to accept service.” I think Ellen and mine’s narrow success in that final came from the fact that although we didn’t solve the main issues, we tried hard to explore every option and solve the smaller issues, thereby reducing the issues in dispute when the matter goes to court. We didn’t try to win, we just tried not to lose on behalf of our client.

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PAPER PRESENTATION: A Paper Presentation competition consists of participants researching, writing, and present an academic paper on a specific legal topic. Both written and oral components will be weighted and marked equally.

Participants are judged on their ability to construct persuasive arguments, demonstrate depth of knowledge, and engage with complex legal or policy issues.

DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

4/5 5/5

STRUCTURE: WRITTEN (40 MARKS)

ORAL(40 MARKS)

Papers must be between 2500 and 5000 words including any explanatory or substantive footnotes and must use the AGLC4 referencing style. The Submissions should be anonymised before being submitted. These submissions would be marked by a judge only responsible for assessing the written works and who would not be included in the oral judging panels.

Participants present their papers for a maximum of 15 minutes. This is followed by a 10-minute question period from the audience where questions regarding the material are covered. Oral presentations have a preliminary and Grand Final round. The winner is the participant with the highest total score from both submissions.

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HOW TO PREPARE: 1

CHOOSING A TOPIC Unlike a university assessment, competitors have the freedom to choose a topic they are passionate about rather than being assigned one. Instead, the chosen topic can be based on a essay written for a previous unit, a current subject of interest, or an entirely new area! Selecting a subject that resonates personally helps maintain enthusiasm and motivation throughout the research and writing process. If you aren’t sure where to start, research legal news headlines that interest you and see where you end up !

2

WRITING THE ESSAY Starting an essay can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can make the process much smoother.

We would suggest to begin by free-writing and brainstorming, and once finished, to group together similar points to make 2-4 paragraph ideas. In addition, accept that any writing is better than no writing ! Your writing will not be polished when you first begin to write, but do not be discouraged!

3

PREPARING FOR THE ORAL COMPONENT Make sure to structure your oral presentation in a way that follows a logical and cohesive flow. By doing this, it will allow you to properly emphasise and draw out the important points of your paper in an engaging way. In addition, anticipate questions that you anticipate the Judges will ask you, and to answer in a calm, measured way.

ORAL

1. Clear, confident and logically organised flow of argument.

2. Effective use of visual aids, pace, and tone.

3. Engagement with the audience.

4. Clear mastery of the subject matter with a detailed understanding of the issue and its legal aspects.

5. Direct and focused response to questions.

WRITTEN

1. The difficulty of the subject matter.

2. Presentation of clear and structured ideas.

3. Critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources.

4. Independent, original and insightful treatment of the topic supported by evidence.

5. Adherence to AGLC4 referencing style and correct punctuation and grammar.

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JUDGING CRITERIA:

Q&A WITH THE 2025 EXEC

MAHMOUD ALLOUCHE

What is the Paper Presentation?

The Paper Presentation is a multi-component competition in which students submit a pre-pared academic paper which they present to a panel of judges. The competition aims to test both the oral and written aptitude of students and is suited to those who favour a prepared approach as opposed to the ad hoc nature of mooting and negotiations competitions.

It is an individual competition divided into an oral and written section, both worth equal marks. Each section is judged by a different judge specialising in the corresponding component. The written submission consists of an AGLC4 compliant academic paper between 25005000 words in length discussing a contemporary legal issue. The oral submission consists of a presentation of the competitors’ findings to a panel of judges for a maximum of 15 minutes. The presentation will be followed by a 10 minute Q&A where competitions will be questioned about their research.

What will judges be looking for?

In the written section, judges will mark competitors on a variety of metrics including (but not limited to): The structure and clarity of arguments The relevance and veracity of the research and subject matter Critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources The extent of independent and original discourse, and Adherence to AGLC4 referencing guidelines In the oral section, judges will mark competitors on a variety of metrics including (but not limited to): Clear, confident and organised flow of arguments Effective and justified use of visual aids Effective use of presentation techniques such as pace, tone and register Engagement with the judging panel and audience; and Clear answers to questions that demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the subject area.

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What preparation should competitors undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

It is encouraged that students address a topic they are passionate and/or already possess a plethora of knowledge about-- this will assist in the process of conducting their research as well as aid their ability to respond effectively in the succeeding question period.

Further, it will make it a more enjoyable process researching areas that are of interested to you.

The use of headings and sub-headings will assist in providing a clear structure for your work. It will also demonstrate a clear progression of your arguments and assist in the oral component by demonstrating a clear separation of topics while speaking.

Upon completion of the written submission, it is beneficial to extract the pertinent points and insights and structure them in a similar matter to your writing. Practice presenting these insights out loud until you are comfortable in demonstrating an integrated presentation where key points cohesively flow from one another, as opposed to fragmented and isolated ideas. Concurrently, you should ensure you practice essential presentation techniques such as emphasis, eye-contract, pace and tone of voice.

SAMPLE PAPER

by Mikaela Mariano

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ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) competition is the ultimate competition for elite professional skills competitors. In one big event, competitors will complete in four separate ADR disciplines (client interview, negotiation, draft a letter of advice, and a Partner Presentation).

DIFFICULTY TIME COMMITMENT

5/5 1/5

SAMPLE ADR STRUCTURE: 1

ADR BEGINS

RECEIVING THE CLIENT INTERVIEW PROBLEM Teams will receive a 1-2 sentence problem for the client interview a week in advance. Competitors will then have to prepare for all stages of the ADR by trying to anticipate what advice will be needed for this situation. The client interview will inform how the rest of the ADR disciplines go, and will all be based around the same client and facts.

2

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CLIENT INTERVIEW (25 MINS) Teams will engage in 20-minute client interviews where competitors will simulate a lawyer-client consultation. They will be expected to build rapport, provide preliminary options, and comply with legal and ethical obligations. . This is followed by a 5-minute post-consultation in which teams are expected to provide selfanalysis on the interview and answer any questions posed by the judge.

NEGOTIATION (1 HOUR) Teams will then begin a 50-minute negotiation with the opposing team to arrive at a mutually beneficial agreement. . Each team will then have a reflective period of 10 minutes with the judge to discuss the outcome and performance in the negotiation.

3 4 LETTER OF ADVICE (1 HOUR)

PARTNER PRESENTATION (10 MINS) Teams are required to present a 10 minute final presentation that summarises the client case, the forms of ADR conducted by the teams, and the prospect of future litigation for the client. Judges will be able to ask 5 mins worth of question time at the end of the presentation.

5

Teams will then begin drafting a Letter of Advice where they will offer a summary and preliminary legal advice on the Client Interview that happened earlier in the day.

An Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) competition consists of multiple stages, each requiring different skills. Below is a structured approach to preparing for Client Interview, Negotiation, Letter of Advice, and Final Presentation.

1

CLIENT INTERVIEW Since you have left time than in an actual client interview competition, make sure to establish rapport early on by beginning with with open-ended questions and body language. Also, come into the competition with a pretty good understanding of what legal and non-legal courses of actions will likely be applicable to your client’s needs and situation.

2

NEGOTIATION Come into the competition having a clear strategy that factors in your BATNA and WATNA in order to make strategic concessions while maximising your client’s interests. In order to further build on this and establish mutual rapport, maintain a cooperative (as opposed to aggressive) tone with the opposing counsel.

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3

LETTER OF ADVICE In your letter of advice, clearly begin with a legal analysis of their situation, their available options, and what you recommend their next steps to be in line with their interests. For example, you may begin with an introduction such as: "Dear (Client’s Name), I hope you are doing well. I am writing in response to our recent consultation regarding your concerns about (succintly state the issue). Based on the facts provided, I have outlined the key legal considerations and future courses of action available to you." Keep in mind to avoid using complex legal jargon to ensure that your client fully understands the advice provided.

4

FINAL PRESENTATION In your final presentation, make sure to summarise the key facts of your client’s case and their legal issues, evaluate how the client interview and negotiation went, and state your recommendations for future courses of action. Make sure these facts are presented in a well-structured way. And make sure your oral delivery is persuasive and calm in front of the Judges.

Q&A WITH THE 2024 WINNERS

ALISON CHEN RACHEL DUONG

What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the competition schedule?

A: My main form of preparation was actually reading the Competitions Guide! ADR is comprised of four individual rounds: a client interview, negotiation, letter of advice and partner presentation. I had no experience with most of these competitions, so I read up on them to understand the rules and gain insights from previous competitors. I also found YouTube helpful; if you’ve never competed before it can be really useful to watch recordings of competitions to learn the basic formalities. In particular, you’ll find lots of videos of client interviews and negotiations, posted by MULS and other universities. As for specific preparation, the only round you can prepare for in advance is the client interview. A few days before the competition, a one-sentence prompt was issued that vaguely described the client’s legal issue. For example, my prompt was, “Terri needs some advice in relation to her business with Gerry.” From this, my teammate and I brainstormed a list of general questions to ask the client, aiming to extract as much useful information as possible.

A: ADR is a one-day intensive competition, so it doesn’t require an ongoing time commitment! This makes it a great option for students who are time-poor, as it also requires minimal preparation compared to other competitions.

R: ADR was a one-day competition on the weekend, so I ensured to complete my work prior and around the competition date.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? How did you overcome it?

A: The most demanding part of the competition was preparing for each round on the spot, especially under timed conditions. The pressure of having a limited amount of time to strategise, organise your thoughts, and prepare arguments can be challenging, and can prove increasingly difficult as the day goes on. To overcome this, my teammate and I made sure to manage our time wisely and break down our preparation into clear, manageable steps. It’s also important to communicate with your teammate, keeping each other accountable and focused throughout the process.

R: I relied on the client interview, letter preparation and presentation skills that I developed through my work experience. I also relied on the skills that I developed in previous negotiation competitions.

R: There were four rounds of the competition on the same day. Each round tested a different skill so required quick adjustments and a mindset change between rounds to ensure that the correct skills were demonstrated.

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How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

A: This competition has helped me develop a broad range of professional skills. ADR is unique in that it tests your presentation, speaking, professional writing, and analytical skills, all under timed conditions in a mock-legal environment. In particular, I would recommend participating in ADR because it provides a rare opportunity for students to try drafting a letter of advice, which they will receive real-time feedback on from a panel of judges which includes legal professionals and academics. I found it to be a really informative experience and appreciated the judges valuable insights on what to expect when drafting advices as a lawyer.

R: The competition was a great opportunity to showcase and learn different professional skills. The skills that I used for negotiations differed from the skills exercised when writing a letter of advice and for the partner presentation. I learned how to adjust the skills I implemented based on the scope of the task.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

A: One piece of advice I would give to competitors is that each stage of the competition builds on the previous one. The facts you gather during the client interview are crucial for the negotiation, which in turn informs the letter of advice, which will then be critiqued during the partner presentation. In my case, I was poorly prepared for the client interview, which made the negotiation phase more difficult. While it’s not the end of the world if you struggle in a previous round, starting off strong will set you up for success in the later stages.

R: Different rounds of the competition have different objectives.

Understanding the objective of the round will help you implement the right range of skills to perform well in the competition.

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INTERVARSITY ADVOCACY COMPS Macquarie University Law School has a proud tradition of participating in intervarsity advocacy competitions. These are external competitions conducted between teams from different universities.

INTERVARSITY COMPETITIONS

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Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's largest and most prestigious moot court competition.

The competition is a simulation of a hypothetical dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

SIMEON LEVINE- 2024 NATIONAL CHAMPION What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the competition?

intentionally created to contain multiple areas of international law, and hundreds of potential arguments. Therefore, we spent multiple months researching, drafting potential arguments, and then refining them into written submissions. It was challenging to remain motivated throughout; however, working together with a team and knowing that you're working towards a meaningful goal allowed me to keep pushing through this stage of the competition.

The preparation for Jessup was a 5-month process that involved countless nights spent at Uni researching legal principles, drafting written submissions, and preparing oral arguments. In the lead-up to the submission of our written memorials, our team worked at Uni every day and night, refining our arguments and filling in any gaps in our knowledge or understanding. Then, once memorials were submitted, our attention turned to oral arguments, where we had practise moots with different judges around 5 times a week for three weeks in the lead-up to the national rounds. After winning the national competition, those practise moots continued until we flew off to Washington.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

Jessup well and truly changed my life (as crazy as that may sound). Professionally, the opportunities I've had and continue to have are all because of Jessup. It's almost scary to think about where I'd be if I didn't apply in July 2023. Through these professional opportunities, I've also had the ability to meet incredible people with the law worldwide. Personally, Jessup tested my resilience and courage, and although challenging, I learnt a lot about myself throughout the process.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

The intense nature of Jessup meant that I had to reduce some of my other commitments. However, for others, I had to manage my time carefully to ensure that any additional commitments didn't mean that I was letting my teammates down by not being available. In these instances, I made sure to carefully organise my team each week and plan things (like Uni assignments) well in advance.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

It's okay to feel lost at times of the competition journey. I had many moments where I felt like I knew nothing, even though I had been spending weeks researching. Even when preparing for the oral rounds, the feedback I received during the practice moots was often challenging and, at times, overwhelming. But, as I progressed, I worked hard to apply at least one piece of feedback each subsequent moot, which allowed me to build on my knowledge and skills.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

The most challenging aspect was the immense time commitment required to succeed in the competition. The problem question is

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Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot The Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot Competition is a prestigious Australian mooting competition focused on contract law. It is typically organised by Victoria Law School at Victoria University in Melbourne.

ARNAV GANDHI- 2024 PARTICIPANT What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the competition?

(a paid trip to Melbourne – sweet!) and being very diligent in my preparation by constantly incorporating the feedback of practice judges. I knew that even if I didn’t go as well as I’d like in the competition, I could hold my head high, knowing I put in my all.

This gave me a bit of comfort.

After researching the applicable legal doctrines and drafting submissions, our team undertook numerous practice moots – sometimes up to four days a week. We were relentlessly grilled on every principle of law and factual nuance relevant to the moot, forcing us to understand our arguments at a fundamental level. It wasn’t easy, but without this ‘trial by fire’ we would not have performed as well as we did in highpressure scenarios.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

Personally? I can say I’ve been grilled on the doctrine of failure of consideration and severability by the former Chief Justice of Tonga as well as the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG. I also have memories I will forever cherish with my team: sprawled out in a Melbourne apartment munching on cold Chicken Gyros while contemplating the eccentric personal life of the hypothetical plaintiff, Mr Bingley.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

I made good use of tactical lunch breaks at work to drill the facts of the moot in my head. I also dedicated a few hours each week – without compromise – to prepare for practice moots. Additionally, the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence technology allowed me to save time when watching lectures and preparing notes while studying. As a final point, I’d like to say even the notion of ‘balance’ must be balanced with other commitments. In other words, you need to accept that sometimes, sacrifices must be made to achieve your goals.

You cannot have everything all the time.

Professionally? I suppose the competition reiterated the things I knew in a very tangible manner. This included the importance of consistency and constant communication. Additionally, it has made it abundantly clear to me that a smile and a polite disposition can go a long way. Some moots were so tightly contested on the law that I felt the reason we eked out a victory was because we were the more respectful and professional team. In real life, nice people don’t finish last.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

Relax and enjoy it. You may never get the chance to make novel arguments before lawyers, judges and arbitrators in such a manner again. Ultimately, we had no clients who were paying us tens of thousands of dollars and breathing down our backs.

Give it your all and see what happens.

The fear that I could not perform well, disappointing my team who dedicated oodles of their time and sweat to excel in the competition. How did I manage this? By focusing on the positive

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Sir John Peden Contract Law Moot This is an annual intermediate bilateral competition with Macquarie University which focuses on contract law.

LEO CHANG- 2024 PARTICIPANT What preparation did you undertake commencement of the competition?

prior

to

the

practicing our submissions with Sebastian. Our team also questioned one another during our practice sessions, analysing our responses to identify areas of weakness. This methodical preparation helped us to focus on our determination, allowing us to present our arguments with clarity and conviction.

During the few weeks that our team had to prepare, we met up in person with Sebastian Hanscomb, a barrister and Macquarie graduate who graciously lent us his time, around three times. We read over the entirety of the materials individually, met up to allocate the work, and then we prepared our cases with one another. After we had all read each other’s general outline, we met up to practice our oral submissions before Sebastian. We posed questions of one another, simulating the worst-case scenarios.

After practicing, we touched up our submissions, practiced with one another, and were ready to present.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

Participating in this prestigious moot competition helped me develop my analytical and research capabilities, in particular in improving my ability to assess complex legal problems and develop persuasive arguments. On a personal level, working intensively with my team taught me valuable lessons about collaboration and time management, especially when working with superiors in a field. The experience of mooting before Supreme Court justices has also strengthened my resilience and adaptability – skills that will prove invaluable throughout my legal career.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

This moot took up around three hours a week, which we managed to fit in. The process to prepare for mooting is reading, research, writing, and rehearsal. Knowing that we had time to familiarise ourselves with the materials before our first meeting together, we scheduled our work backwards, with each meeting serving as a deadline. We fit in the hours where they would go, and despite the difficulties inherent in scheduling, it was better knowing when crunch time was going to occur well before we had to undertake it — we were able to take a lot from our sessions.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

The most valuable tip I wish I'd known earlier is the importance of being able to adapt and condense submissions during oral arguments. While we prepared comprehensive submissions, judges often directed us to specific points, requiring quick prioritisation of arguments. External competitions differ markedly from internal ones, particularly in the unfamiliarity of facing teams from other universities like the University of Sydney. Despite the pressure being different, it helped to remember that all of us participants were students learning together. This mindset allowed us to be gracious and appreciate the learning opportunity the competition provided.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

Facing a panel of three Supreme Court judges was rather daunting, particularly given their experience in contract law. The most challenging aspect was managing the anxiety of presenting complex legal arguments before such distinguished jurists. We overcame this by immersing ourselves in relevant case law and

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Multilateral Diversity and Pride Moot This is a moot focused on LGBTQ+ rights and diversity issues in law, and often incorporates aspects of constitutional law, human rights law, and workplace discrimination.

DUNG NGHI TRAN - 2024 PARTICIPANT What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the competition?

Moot, the rounds took place over the mid-session break, but I was also competing in the 2024 Contract Law Moot, working on four essay assignments, and fulfilling my duties as the 2024 External Professional Skills Executive Officer. Balancing all these commitments required clear communication with my teammates, strong organisational skills, and effective prioritisation. Most importantly, I maintained a high standard for myself in each task to ensure everything was completed efficiently. By staying disciplined and focused, I managed to meet all my obligations with minimal complications.

Without the problem question, it is difficult to determine the exact areas of law to review without potentially wasting time and effort. However, it is always a good idea to refresh your knowledge by skimming through past notes and materials that may be relevant. For example, if the competition is likely to involve contract law, reviewing key principles from that unit can be beneficial. Another crucial aspect of preparation is team communication. Establishing commitment expectations, scheduling meetings, and setting aside time for practice sessions ensures everyone is on the same page. Mooting is a team effort, if one person falls behind, it affects the whole team. That is why it is essential to communicate even the smallest concerns to prevent misunderstandings and ensure smooth collaboration.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

This competition helped me understand my personal limitations, even as I pushed myself to achieve high outcomes.

While I successfully managed my obligations during an intense two-week period, it was physically and mentally taxing, leading to burnout. This experience taught me the importance of maintaining a sustainable workload and recognising when to take breaks to preserve long-term efficiency.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

I maintain a high level of organisation by scheduling all my plans, appointments, and deadlines in my calendar. I personally use the default iPhone Calendar app, as it is free and accessible wherever I go. By tracking all my commitments, I can quickly identify my free time and plan accordingly. This level of organisation is particularly useful when coordinating practice sessions with my team and preparing oral submissions.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

One valuable tip I wish I had known is the importance of setting realistic expectations for time management. While it is tempting to take on multiple commitments simultaneously, it is equally important to recognise personal limits and avoid overextending yourself. Understanding when to say no or delegate tasks can prevent burnout and allow for a more balanced and effective competition experience.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

The most challenging aspect was managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. For instance, during the Pride

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Margaret Cunneen Witness Examination Competition In this competition, Competitors take on the role of barristers in a mock trial scenario. In this, they will conduct examinations-in-chief and cross-examinations of witnesses. It is named after Margaret Cunneen SC, a highly respected Senior Counsel and former Crown Prosecutor.

TARA BONE - 2024 WINNER What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

Because the competition is a grand final format (only one round on one night) and the question was only released at 6pm that evening, I didn’t have to undertake much preparation.

This was not my first witness examination, but for a beginner I’d suggest watching WitEx grand finals online to get an idea of the format, and reading through Bernard Gross QC’s Making and Meeting Common Evidentiary Objections at Trial. For the examination in chief, I suggest spending your 30 mins with the witness taking them through the statement, practicing your non-leading questions to get them to read out everything relevant. For the cross examination, I suggest you identify the areas you want to cross examine on, i.e. credibility, and then make your questions as short and powerful as you can. A shorter cross examination is a better cross examination, do not try to make it longer to fill time.

You have to think on your feet in witness examination. Your own witness might not give you the full answer in examination in chief, and you have to think of a way to get that missing piece of information out without leading them. Asking “what, if anything, happened?” is a good strategy. Cross examination can’t be prepared quite as easily as examination in chief. I suggest identifying submissions you want to make, and dot pointing questions that will help you back up that submission. If you want to prove a cashier is intentionally skimming a till, try to prove they can o math and therefore knew what they were doing-- ask them about their high school qualifications, why they applied for and took that job, how long they worked there without incident, the fact they can use the register to make calculations. Then finish up with “so, you can do basic math?”... “so, you knew you were taking more that you should have?”.

Mic drop. If they deny it, nod and smile knowingly because you’ve caught them in a lie.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

Because the competition was only one night and there is minimal preparation required before the question is released, it was a very manageable commitment. I did this competition in October 2024, less than a week before my final law honours thesis was due (noting I didn’t quite finish it by that stage) and amidst a number of other assessment due dates. It was easy to squeeze in.

After my first few court attendances it became clear I wanted to work in advocacy, but I had a strong fear that I simply wouldn’t be capable. It’s terrifying, and it requires public speaking ability, mental sharpness, flexibility and courage. Doing these

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What is one tip you wish you knew before your started the competition?

competitions has reaffirmed that I want to be an advocate, and that I can be an advocate. It has given me an enormous confidence boost in my own abilities, personally and professionally. It also introduced me to a number of senior legal practitioners who have been incredibly valuable network connections. Don’t be afraid to email a judge after a competition and ask for more feedback or career advice over a coffee, they’ll usually agree, that’s the reason they volunteered.

The only person who knows how nervous you are is you. At every competition I have been terrified, trembling, flushed and my heart racing. After every competition. I have been complemented on having a calm and confident demeanour, for appearing as if I am as cool as a cucumber. All you have to do is pretend you’re okay and confident, and once you get into the nitty gritty, you will be.

Everything else falls away. Everyone is looking at the witness, not you.

Nuremberg Moot Court An intervarsity competition that Macquarie students participate in is the Nuremberg Moot Court, with the final round held internationally in Nuremberg, Germany. In this competition, teams present arguments in a hypothetical case before a mock International Criminal Court.

CAMILLE CHIN - 2025 COMPETITOR What preparation have you been undertaking prior to the commencement of the competition?

I’ve been keeping up to date with current affairs in the international legal sphere, including reports and media releases from the ICC, looking at judgements and statements and staying on top of the news and current politics internationally. I also looked into literature and academic articles about basic ICL to build my foundations and knowledge of the content that we would potentially be working on. Finally, we as a team reached out to our coach and coordinator for further guidance and resources to be extra prepared and have a uniform approach to working on the moot together.

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the mooting schedule?

I schedule everything around what is concrete in my week – work, family commitments, studying and sport. Once I knew how my week would look like, I scheduled my study time for

the moot in the spaces where I had extra time, whether it would be in the morning before work or for an hour after dinner. Having a plan that is flexible and having goals of what I wanted to achieve per study session really helped me and the team to move forward be as comprehensive as possible and to leave room for editing and refining ideas.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

It has helped me begin to think about how advocacy works and building that skill outside of law school and in the court room. It has brought confidence in me, in my ability to legal research and in my ability to work and keep calm under pressure.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

Start early. Because this competition was something I am truly interested in and the topics were relevant to what we see on a day to day basis, it was easy to begin background researching before the competition started. And have fun!

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UNSW IV Skills Competition The UNSW Intervarsity (IV) Skills Competition is an annual event hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Law Society, bringing together law students from various Australian universities to compete in practical legal skills. The competition encompasses multiple disciplines, including Negotiations, Client Interviewing, and Witness Examination. While these competitions are all within the same overarching competition, they are competed in and judged as separate disciplines.

ALISON CHEN & RACHEL DUONG --- 2024 COMPETITORS (NEGOTIATIONS) What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the competition?

we needed to research, plan, and finalise our arguments in an hour before each round started. We overcame this challenge by strictly structuring our preparation time. We gave ourselves 20 minutes to discuss interests and the BATNA and WATNA, 20 minutes to independently work on our arguments, and then spent the final 20 minutes discussing our arguments with each other to ensure we were on the same page and could go into the negotiation as a cohesive team.

A: To prepare for the competition, we focused on brainstorming arguments and potential rebuttals, identifying the interests of both parties, and determining our WATNA and BATNA. We began by deciding which arguments we would present and who would take the lead on each one. We also made sure to understand the interests of each party and keep them in mind during the negotiation, allowing us to understand competing priorities and ensure we stayed true to our client’s instructions. Finally, we made sure to understand our client’s BATNA and WATNA going into each round so we knew when to settle and when to walk away.

R: Preparation for UNSW IV was much quicker than the internal negotiations competition as facts were released the day prior and the day of the competition round.

How did this differ from preparations for the internal negotiations competition?

R: My teammate and I competed in the 2024 Maddocks Negotiations Competition prior to UNSW IV. The Maddocks Negotiation Competition helped us build foundational negotiation skills and understand our complementary strengths, which informed the strategy we took in the Competition.

A: The main difference is that the negotiations in the UNSW IV competition were conducted with a client-counsel split, as opposed to a counsel-counsel split. In the internal negotiations competition at Macquarie, we use a counsel-counsel split, where both teammates act as lawyers, and the client is only represented in the facts, not as an active participant in the negotiation. In contrast, at an intervarsity level we found that other universities tended to use a client-counsel split, where one teammate presents as the lawyer and the other takes on the role of the client.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition, and how did you overcome it?

A: The most difficult part of the competition was that all rounds, except the first, were prepared on the spot under timed conditions. In internal negotiations, questions are released days before the round, giving competitors time to flesh out their arguments and prepare extensively. In this competition however,

R: UNSW IV was an intensive competition over one weekend, so there was little time for preparation between rounds. My teammate

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and I overcame this by jointly becoming clear on our client’s interests and developing separate parts of our negotiation strategy, which we then brought together.

rehearsed script. For example, we found that each university approached the introduction differently. Some teams opted for a very structured and formal approach with opening submissions, while others were more casual and led with small talk.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

R: There are different negotiation styles between universities and quickly adapting your strategy at the start of the negotiation will help you obtain a favourable outcome for your client.

A: One tip I wish I had known is that there are stylistic variations in the way each university runs negotiations, and competitors should be flexible and willing to improvise rather than sticking to a

KIERAN WAN --- 2024 COMPETITOR (CLIENT INTERVIEW) What preparation did you undertake prior to the commencement of the competition?

whereas the internal senior comp is 20 mins long). This means there is a more detailed memo and more information to extract, so it becomes harder to maintain your interview structure. To this I have three main tips. Firstly, during the initial client spiel identify the main issues. At the end of the spiel explicitly break it down and say 'ok, so to our understanding the main issues are A, B and C, and well go through each of those individually. So first, regarding Issue A, (insert T funnel method). After several minutes (total time allocated to questions divided by number of issues) one of you needs to go 'ok, so we'll move onto the second issue of B (insert T funnel)' and then repeat the process for each issue. Secondly, if you're struggling to extract any from each issue always go back to your open questions. Remember that you can always ask 'is there anything else that we've missed'. This can be applied to each issue to ensure you have sufficient detail and also to ensure you haven't missed any issues. Thirdly, any name of a person/company which the client raises MUST be received interrogation. For example, if the client says 'I went to the cafe with Bob', it is essential to ask about Bob (even if it's as simple as 'can you tell me a bit more about Bob').

The structure of the intervarsity client interview is largely similar to the internal MQ one, so the preparation is basically the same.

Prepare a script, divide each section (introduction/rapport/admin, questioning, options and conclusion) between yourself and your teammate and make sure you know who's saying what. As always, preliminary research is key. I would strongly recommend preparing a list of solutions (both legal and non legal) so you can select the relevant ones during the interview. Legal solutions can simply be a list of free/subsidised mediations by various government or NGOs for different types of disputes. A simple google search for 'free mediation (area of law) disputes' will allow you to raise specific solutions rather than the usual spiel of 'negotiation, mediation, arbitration, Court'. Non legal solutions can be specific programs providing psychological assistance, food banks, charities, community organisations, translation assistance etc. These may not be relevant for all disputes but if the client says they're suffering from mental health issues then having a list of prepared solutions allows you to suggest that they consider making use of the NSW Government's Better Access Program to access subsidised counselling instead of simply saying 'you could consider seeing a psychologist'.

How has this competition aided you in your personal and professional development?

It's helped develop my oral communication skills as well as my critical thinking skills as the longer interview length means you need to thoroughly consider the information provided by the client.

It's also helped develop my teamwork skills as many competitors (myself included) had not worked together prior to the competition (the main reason for this is the intervarsity competition is hosted on weekends so it's much more difficult to find a partner).

How did you manage to balance your other commitments with the competition schedule?

It was relatively simple to balance my time as client interview doesn't take very long, nor does it require a huge amount of preparation (30 mins- 1hour ahead of each round should be sufficient). Further, the intervarsity competition is a one off competition held over a weekend so there's no need for regular commitment, which also adds further flexibility.

What is one tip you wish you knew before you started the competition?

The criteria which we were assessed with was different to that in which the internal MQ computation so that took some time to get used to. Therefore, my biggest advice is before the round begins don't be afraid to ask the judge and make sure you've interpreted the criteria correctly. A quick 5 minute conversation before the interview will prevent you from going off track, especially if you're used to the internal MQ criteria.

What was the most difficult aspect of the competition? And how did you overcome it?

The intervarsity interview is significantly longer than the internal MQ interview (the intervarsity interview is 30 mins long,

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MULS x SULS Novice Skills Competition The MULS x SULS Novice Skills Competition is a bilateral competition where teams of two face off against University of Sydney teams in either a client interview or negotiation. This year, the competition is designed for first-time intervarsity competitors from both universities

LUCIA ZHOU- 2025 EXECUTIVE OFFICER What preparation should competitors undertake prior to the commencement of the Competition?

Preparation techniques will depend on the specific competition that teams will be competing in. Client interview competitors can prepare by understanding the general nature of the client’s problem, then identifying the relevant area of law. From here, teams can research the relevant legislation to brainstorm questions they may ask the client and to understand what solutions may be appropriate. Competitors should also be familiar with the duties lawyers owe to their clients. Negotiation competitors should have a deep understanding of the conflict at hand and their party’s interests. Teams can prepare by planning negotiation strategies based on the importance of different issues the client may have and come up with potential outcomes that best reflect the client’s interests. However, it is important for teams to be flexible during the negotiation and work with the opposing party to work towards settlement.

competition for each team member to be responsible for, such as having a comprehensive understanding of certain problems the client will have. This will also be useful in dividing research loads in preparation for the competition. Having a shared understanding of the team’s goals and priorities will be crucial in both competitions so you are working together, and not unintendedly against each other.

What will judges be looking for?

In the client interview, judges will be assessing how well teams build rapport with the client, identify their problem, and provide appropriate advice and guidance. This may include making the client feel comfortable, active listening skills, a cohesive line of questioning, and teamwork with your partner. In negotiations, judges will be looking to how well the parties progress in understanding the conflict and work towards acceptable, but realistic, solutions. Negotiations aren’t necessarily about reaching a settlement; rather, how well the team adapts to new information, communicates with the other party, and how the team advances their client’s best interests.

How can teammates ensure they are working efficiently together?

It is important for each team to effectively cover all aspects of a client interview or negotiation and balance the share of work between two people. Teams can assign different aspects of the

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INTERVARSITY ADVOCACY COMPS Macquarie University Law School has a proud tradition of participating in intervarsity advocacy competitions. These are external competitions conducted between teams from different universities.

JUDGES’ CORNER

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Q&A WITH FAREED QURESHI SENIOR ASSOCIATE AT SHINE LAWYERS

Did you have any competitions experience prior to being a Judge?

What attributes do you look for in stand-outcompetitors ?

Prior to graduating and then assisting MULS as a moot judge, I competed in different comps in each session of my law degree as well as a number of intervarsity competitions.

Consistency and composure. A successful mooter is one who takes the time to learn the facts and the law and is then able to convey that knowledge with the same calmness in minute 15 of their oral submissions as in minute 1.

How does competing help students in their future legal career ?

What is one tip you can offer mooters?

Just have a go. There will always be many reasons not to sign up for a moot, but if you put the work in, it could really change your life.

Mooting is very important to any law student's skillset because it enforces three traits: focus, resilience and collegiality. The first is formed by the pressure of building written and oral submissions in a short space of time. The second comes from the setbacks, defeats and heartbreaks that are a necessary part of the game. The third comes from the relationships formed with teammates, opponents and judges that last well into practice.

What common mistakes do you see competitors making in your capacity as Judge?

Failing to take the process seriously. No one is forcing you to moot. If you choose to do so, you owe it to yourself and your team to invest the time and effort needed to succeed.

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Q&A WITH ANDY DONG ASSOCIATE (HEALTH) AT MAKINSON D'APICE LAWYERS

Did you have any competitions experience prior to being a Judge?

What attributes do you look for in stand-outcompetitors ?

I competed in mooting and client interview at Macquarie University before assisting with judging and the workshops.

The willingness to engage with the facts and the judge. It is very impressive when competitors can tell you what the law is, but then can also apply it creatively to factual scenarios to benefit their side. It is also great when competitors are able to understand the substance in a judge’s question, and address specifically and succinctly what the judge is trying to clarify and understand.

How does competing help students in their future legal career ?

You learn great research skills, and also develop your critical thinking to be able to consider the high and low ends of every perspective. Its also a great way to train your advocacy and public speaking. This can help you not only with court appearances as a lawyer, but also in work interviews and presentations.

What is one tip you can offer mooters?

Be kind and supportive to your peers, teammates, opponents and MULs coordinators. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback, share tips and tricks, and accept constructive criticism openly.

Macquarie is a very supportive and collegial environment, and being part of that will assist you to grow, and also help you to help others to grow exponentially.

What common mistakes do you see competitors making in your capacity as Judge?

Treating a moot or any type of advocacy as a prepared speech. There is a tendency to find safety in your notes, researched material and any pre-prepared scripts. These are still very important and form a big part of how you present a case or run a client interview. But rely on them too much, and your speaking manner becomes artificial and you are often less ready to respond to questions and unforeseen issues that pop up in the moment.

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Q&A WITH ZARA BENDING UNIVERSITY LECTURER, RESEARCHER AND CONSERVATIONALIST

Did you have any competitions experience prior to being a Judge?

What common mistakes do you see competitors making in your capacity as Judge?

I had very little mooting experience. Truth be told, I was working through a speech impediment and what I now know to be neurodivergence back when I started law school, and once I had the confidence, I felt I’d missed the boat so just focused on professional work instead. That’s why I’m so glad that MULS has the Novice Moot comp for students who pluck up the courage to have a go later in their degrees. First-time judges shouldn’t be put off either – read the rules of the comp you’re judging and contact your MULS point-person if there’s any material you don’t understand.

With mooting specifically, I see competitors who approach the experience like a debate or public speaking exercise and get thrown when the bench starts to engage. Some even get combative. When you enter the room, any room (and this goes for your careers to), enter knowing what you are there to achieve. When you moot, your job is to assist the Court in making a determination. Make your judges’ lives as easy as possible: structure your arguments, be concise in your use of language, provide and KNOW your authorities, and be sure to know the consequences that flow from your interpretation of the law. Don’t waste the Court’s time. Do not lie to a bench under any circumstance.

How does competing help students in their future legal career ?

What attributes do you look for in stand-outcompetitors ?

The whole suite of law school comps (mooting, client interview, witness examination, negotiations, paper presentations, etc) help students in their future legal careers in a few ways.

(1) it shows prospective employers that you’re willing to take initiative, stand out from the crowd, and invest in your skillset.

(2) it deepens your applied knowledge of the law and sharpens critical skills like communicating for-purpose, stat interp and legal research.

(3) you develop and demonstrate soft skills that are transferable regardless of the career you pursue: collaboration, active listening, professionalism, delivering output to timelines, etc.

(4) you receive direct feedback from judges (many of whom are Macquarie alumni, Law School academics, members of the legal profession, and/or affiliates of organisations where you may wish to work one day).

Clarity, precision, active listening, and engagement with the bench. Clarity as to the relevant law, how it applies, strengths and limitations of arguments. Precision in structure, use of language, pace, and vocal delivery. Active listening, whether in exchanges with the bench or in listening to their fellow competitors for the purpose of a rebuttal or surrebuttal.

Engagement with bench, particularly where you can tell a competitor genuinely enjoys holding a conversation and engages with all judges presiding.

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What is one tip you can offer mooters?

I’ll offer four tips: (1) The bench ≠opps. Sometimes a judge will ask you a question to help you along.

(2) Know when to make strategic concessions. If it’s obvious the Court isn’t with you on a point and it’s starting to drag, consider conceding BUT be mindful to not jettison your whole case.

(3) Do not throw your teammates under the bus- I’ve seen SCs dig their JCs into holes before they’ve even gotten up to speak. I’ve also seen JCs undercut how their SCs have applied relevant authority. Work as a unit.

(4) Write down the questions judges ask all speakers, and the feedback provided post-moot to both sides. This is all valuable intel to learn what judges look for and should inform how you approach your next round.

Q&A WITH MIKAELA MARIANO

STUDENT JUDGE PARALEGAL AT LAW PARTNERS (PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS)

Did you have any competitions experience prior to being a Judge?

What common mistakes do you see competitors making in your capacity as Judge?

Yes, I did! I actively participated in mooting and progressionbased skills competitions, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I started competing in my first year of university, and the sense of adrenaline and challenge made me want to keep going. I began with the Foundations of Moot competition, and as I gained confidence and experience, I progressed to intervarsity competitions. These experiences helped shape my advocacy skills and reinforced my passion for legal practice.

Competitions provide students with invaluable soft skills and transferable abilities that are highly beneficial in a legal career.

For example, when I participated in mooting, I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to think on my feet and respond effectively under pressure.

Beyond advocacy and mooting, competitions also help develop professional skills, such as: * Building rapport with clients – an essential skill for clientfacing roles. * Empathy and active listening – crucial for understanding legal issues from different perspectives.

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* Time management and strategic thinking – skills that are useful in litigation, negotiations, and advisory roles.

What is one tip you can offer mooters?

One of the most important tips I can offer is: Be prepared, but don’t be rigid.

Participating in competitions also gave me more exposure to real-world legal scenarios, improving their ability to analyse complex problems, communicate persuasively, and remain composed under pressure—all of which I think are important in a legal career.

Know your material inside out, anticipate possible challenges, and have a clear strategy—but also be ready to adapt.

Judges value competitors who can engage naturally and confidently rather than simply delivering pre-written answers.

Treat competitions as an opportunity to hone your critical thinking, advocacy, and problem-solving skills—all of which will serve you well.

What common mistakes do you see competitors making in your capacity as Judge?

A common mistake, albeit an understandable one, is overreliance on a scripted response during competitions. Many students (including myself) prepare a detailed script and attempt to follow it word-for-word. While having a structured outline is helpful, relying too heavily on a script can make it obvious that a competitor is reciting rather than engaging dynamically with the competition.

For example, in mooting, advocacy is about having a conversation with the judge rather than delivering a memorised speech. A rigid script can make competitors struggle when faced with unexpected questions or challenges, highlighting a lack of adaptability. The best competitors are those who prepare thoroughly but also remain flexible and ready to engage in an interactive dialogue.

What attributes do you look for in stand-outcompetitors ?

The key attributes I look for in standout competitors include: * Adaptability – How well they adjust to unexpected questions or challenges during the competition. * Quick thinking – The ability to process information rapidly and provide well-reasoned responses. * Confidence and composure – Maintaining professionalism even under pressure. * Persuasive communication – The ability to argue a point effectively without being overly rehearsed.

In essence , the best competitors demonstrate a strong grasp of the subject matter, excellent communication skills, and the ability to remain composed and strategic in their responses.

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SEE YOU AT OUR COMPETITIONS EXPO ON THE 24TH OF FEBRUARY 2025.

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