49 The CIArb Australia News December 2014
Catherine Eglezos Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills, Melbourne View Profile Kristy Haining Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills, Melbourne View Profile
Law Institute of Victoria International Commercial Arbitration Moot When: 27 November Where: Melbourne Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Centre Photos: Barton Wu and Gianna Totaro
T
he International Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria recently held its inaugural International Arbitration Moot. The moot was open to penultimate and final year university students, law graduates and young practitioners (under the age of 36 or with 5 years or less PQE). The moot is designed to provide junior practitioners with practical experience as an international commercial arbitration advocate. The moot enabled participants to enhance their practical problem-solving skills and gain the invaluable experience of appearing in front of national and international arbitrators. The moot problem was entirely procedural in nature, with the arbitration being conducted pursuant to ACICA Rules, exposing participants to various procedural issues that may arise during the course of arbitration.
Teams comprising of four members competed in two Preliminary rounds (once as Claimant and once as Respondent) before progressing to the Semi-Final rounds. The top two teams then progressed through to the Grand Final which was conducted before a panel of three arbitrators at the Melbourne Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Centre. Teams Forrester and Peacock mooted in the Grand Final before a panel comprising Bronwyn Lincoln, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills, Albert Monichino QC and Caroline Kenny QC. The Grand Final moot was followed by a celebratory cocktail party at which prizes for the Winning Team, Best Advocate and Best Memoranda were awarded, as well as certificates for all participants. The following prizes were awarded on the evening:
Winner: Team Forrester Robert Forrester (Kellehers Australia), Mitchell Latham (County Court), Hubert Algie (Kellehers Australia) and Nathan Taylor (Kelly Workplace Lawyers)
Runner-up: Team Peacock Lauren Peacock (Uniting Church), Priya Wakhlu (HWL Ebsworth), Belinda Moore-Gilbert (Herbert Smith Freehills) and Bowei Lai (The University of Melbourne)
Best Respondent Memorandum: Team Forrester Best Claimant Memorandum: Team Moore Brendan Moore (Victoria University), James Francis (Tanya Cirkovic and Associates), Rebecca Hazeltine (Victoria University) and Mitchell Hamblyn (Victoria University)
Best Oralist – Grand Final: Robert Forrester Best Oralist – General Rounds: Mitchell Latham