Competitions Guide 2025

UTS LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

COMPETITIONS GUIDE 2025

Disclaimer: All content provided in the UTS LSS Competitions Guide is current to the best of the authors’ knowledge at the time of publication. However, please note that all information, including but not limited to event dates and details, are subject to change as university semesters and events evolve throughout the year. It is strongly recommended that aspiring competitors regularly check for updates on the UTS Law Students’ Society’s (‘UTS LSS’) primary social media platforms (including Facebook and Instagram) and confirm details with the UTS LSS Competitions Portfolio and relevant Competitions Directors.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the University of Technology Sydney or the UTS LSS. Although the authors and contributors have taken every care in preparing and writing the Guide, they expressly disclaim and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, misuse or misunderstandings on the part of any person who uses or relies upon it. The users of the UTS LSS Competitions Guide acknowledge that under no circumstances will they hold the authors or contributors responsible for any errors or omissions in the Guide.

AUTHORS Vice Presidents (Competitions): Georgia Mitchell and Youngone Oh Competitions Portfolio Directors: Rishabh Vats, Oliver Crawford, Zachary Boswell, Oscar Platt, Mahir Munot, Jacqueline Lee, Alexander Marinos, Daniel Hayes, Chantelle Truong Competitors: Stella Barahona, Nandni Narwania, Siya Khatri, Oliver Crawford, Grace Strik, Vincent Aquino, Melissa Dib, Chloe Ferreira, Liliana Edwards, Anna Sundquist, Zachary Sullivan, Ruby Ko, Bilvika Abburi, James Wilson, Rosalia Bautista, Arav Maharaj, Taicheng Jin, Trinity Stockwell, Noah Darmenia, Jackson Radnedge, Zachary Boswell, Sophie Hambling, Lucie Vayriot, Rianne Hamad, Sai Muthukumar, Chandra Renouf, Emma Gaston Designer: Ashley Bokser President: Nipun Kar Dean of UTS Faculty of Law: Anita Stuhmcke

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2025

CONTENTS 3

Dean’s Welcome Address

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Vice-Presidents' (Competitions) Address

5

President’s Welcome Address

6

Meet the Team

7

Competitions Calendar, Semester 1

8

Competitions Calendar, Semester 2

9

2024 Honour Roll

10

How to Get Involved

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Junior Championship Moot

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Junior Criminal Law Moot

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Open Criminal Law Moot

15

Open Torts Law Moot

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Ashurst Open Commercial Law Moot

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Open Contract Law Moot

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Open Constitutional Law Moot

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Mooting Mentoring Program

21

MMP Moot Intensive

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Gauntlet Skills Competition

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Client Interview

25

Negotiation

26

Witness Examination

27

Written Skills

28

Bail Competition

30

UTS LSS Maddocks Intervarsity Negotiation Competition

31

UTS LSS Ashurst Intervarsity Legal Technology Moot

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UTS LSS x SULS Nicholas Cowdery AO KC Criminal Law Moot

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UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Law Moot

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Intervarsity Diversity & Pride Moot

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Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Law Moot

36

Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot

37

UNSW Private Law Moot

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Intervarsity ESL Moot

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UNSW Intervarsity Beginners Tournament

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UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition

41

SULS Multilateral Client Interview Competition

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Margaret Cunneen SC Witness Examination Competition

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HSF NLU Delhi International Negotiation Competition

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Australian Law Students’ Association Annual National Conference

MOOTING

INTENSIVES

SKILLS

INTERVARSITY COMPETITIONS

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DEAN’S WELCOME ADDRESS

Dear UTS Law Students, Welcome to the 2025 UTS Law Student Society Competition Guide. As the Dean of the Faculty of Law, I am delighted to present this comprehensive resource designed to help you navigate and excel in the various competitions available to you. Of course these competitions are much more than being about winning; they will also hone your legal skills, expand your knowledge, provide you with an avenue to meet new people and to collaborate and be part of a legal team. They will help to prepare you for a successful career in law.

Participating in these competitions offers invaluable opportunities to develop critical skills such as legal research, writing, advocacy, and negotiation. These are the very skills that will set you apart in the legal profession. Whether you are drafting a memorandum, presenting oral arguments, or negotiating a settlement, the experience gained through these competitions will be instrumental in your professional growth.

I encourage each of you to make the most of the opportunities on offer in this Guide. Engage fully, challenge yourself, and learn from every experience.

The skills you develop and the connections you make will be invaluable assets as you progress through your legal career. Remember, the effort you put in now will pay dividends in the future.

In conclusion, I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Embrace the challenges, celebrate your successes, and learn from any setbacks. The Faculty of Law is here to support you every step of the way. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your achievements.

Warm regards, Anita Stuhmcke 3

VICE-PRESIDENTS’ (COMPETITIONS) WELCOME ADDRESS

Dear UTS Law Students, Stepping into law school is more than just attending lectures and studying textbooks – it is about finding opportunities to challenge yourself, discovering your potential, and preparing for the realities of a legal career. That is where UTS LSS Competitions come in!

More than anything, competitions are a chance to connect. They bring together students with shared interests, creating a space to collaborate, learn, and celebrate achievements together. We are confident that the friendships and networks you create through these experiences will enrich your time at UTS and We are proud to introduce the first-ever UTS LSS your journey beyond law school.

Competitions Guide, your starting point for exploring everything the UTS LSS has to offer in the dynamic So, whether you are here to try something new, develop world of legal competitions, both within UTS and on your expertise, or simply see what competitions are all intervarsity stages. Competitions give you the chance about, this guide is for you. We encourage you to use it to step out of your comfort zone and apply your skills to discover the challenges on offer that excite you, and in a supportive and exciting environment. dive in with enthusiasm.

Within these pages, you will find guidance and insights on how to navigate the competition landscape: a breakdown of the opportunities we offer, guidance on how to get involved, and tips to help you succeed.

Whether you are completely new to competitions or looking to refine your expertise, this guide is your starting point.

Best of luck – we look forward to seeing your enthusiasm, determination, and resilience on display this year!

Warm regards, Georgia Mitchell and Youngone Oh

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME ADDRESS Welcome to the inaugural UTS LSS Competitions Guide!

Without a doubt, competitions are a significant and important part of our LSS. The following pages of this valuable publication will guide you through every aspect of our competitions portfolio and the opportunities we offer to all our members, as well as the intervarsity and international pathways available to successful competitors.

Like most things, you can maximise your opportunities in the world of Competitions by starting early with the Junior competitions in the Spring Session, but I stress that it is never too late to start with an abundance of Opens competitions available throughout the year too!

Now you can refer to this detailed Competitions Guide to explore all the competitions on offer to you and determine which ones interest you the most. If you have Our LSS runs a diverse range of Mooting and Skills any questions about the competitions, don’t hesitate to competitions, such as Negotiation, Client Interview, reach out to our LSS team - we’re always happy to help!

Witness Examination, and more. Our members are given the opportunity to participate in our competitions to Finally, I would like to thank all the contributors for develop their advocacy and professional skills, broaden their valuable insights, which have greatly enriched their perspective of the legal world, and connect with this resource! In particular, a massive thank you to our many like-minded students.

2025 Vice-Presidents (Competitions), Georgia Mitchell and Youngone Oh, who led the way with creation of The questions for our competitions are written by highly this publication (a first of its kind for the UTS LSS) and experienced competitors, academics or professionals, dedicated an enormous amount of time and effort into and our competitions are often judged by solicitors, making it an invaluable resource for our members! barristers and even judges of the Supreme Court of NSW. This demonstrates that the skills assessed in Stay connected by following our social media pages for competitions are highly relevant to the real world. updates on all upcoming competitions, and I hope to see you take them on in the near future! Best of luck!

The competitions we run are only enhanced through our strong partnership with the UTS Faculty of Law, Nipun Kar the generous support of our various sponsors, as well as collaboration with many other law student societies across Australia.

Evidently, the competitions our LSS run are highly beneficial to all participants. I personally encourage everyone to make the most of their time at university by embracing a holistic university experience and putting their hands up to engage in more opportunities. I hope this publication now further inspires you to utilise the LSS competitions opportunities available.

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M EET T HE T EAM

GEORGIA MITCHELL (SHE/HER) Vice President (Competitions)

YOUNGONE OH (SHE/HER) Vice President (Competitions)

vpc1@utslss.com

vpc2@utslss.com

RISHABH VATS (HE/HIM) Subject Mooting Director

OLIVER CRAWFORD (HE/HIM) Subject Mooting Director

ZACHARY BOSWELL (HE/HIM) Mooting Development Director

subject.mooting1@utslss.com

subject.mooting2@utslss.com

mooting.development@utslss.com

OSCAR PLATT (HE/HIM) Intervarsity Mooting Director

CHANTELLE TRUONG (SHE/HER) Intervarsity Skills Director

JACQUELINE LEE (SHE/HER) Client Interview Director

intervarsity.mooting@utslss.com

intervarsity.skills@utslss.com

ci@utslss.com

MAHIR MUNOT (HE/HIM) Negotiation Director

ALEXANDER MARINOS (HE/HIM) Witness Examination Director

DANIEL HAYES (HE/HIM) Written Skills Director

negotiation@utslss.com

witex@utslss.com

writtenskills@utslss.com

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2025 COMPETITIONS CALENDAR SEMESTER 1 Open Torts Law Moot Sparke Helmore Lawyers Advice Writing Competition Open Skills Competitions

(Negotiation, Client Interview, Witness Examination)

Ashurst Open Commercial Law Moot Mooting Mentoring Program (MMP) MMP Moot Intensive Open Criminal Law Moot UTS LSS Maddocks Intervarsity Negotiation Competition Open Bail Competition UNSW Private Law Moot UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Law Moot UNSW Intervarsity Beginners Tournament

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SEMESTER 2 Open Contract Law Moot Sparke Helmore Lawyers Affidavit Drafting Competition Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot UTS LSS x SULS Nicholas Cowdery AO KC Criminal Law Moot Australian Law Students’ Association Annual National Conference UTS LSS Ashurst Intervarsity Legal Technology Moot Gauntlet Skills Competition Open Constitutional Law Moot Junior Skills Competitions

(Negotiation, Client Interview, Witness Examination)

Junior Championship Moot Junior Criminal Law Moot Junior Bail Competition UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot Intervarsity Diversity and Pride Moot Intervarsity ESL (English as a Second Language) Moot Margaret Cunneen SC Witness Examination Competition SULS Multilateral Client Interview Competition HSF NLU Delhi International Negotiation Competition

Disclaimer: Please note that this calendar is a general outline of when these Competitions take place throughout the year. For specific dates and key information, please refer to the respective competition pages and the UTS LSS Facebook Page.

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2024 HONOUR ROLL Congratulations to the following individuals and teams who were successful in winning a mooting and/ or skills competition in 2024, earning a well-deserved spot on our UTS LSS Competitions Honour Roll!

MOOTING Junior Championship Moot – Nandni Narwania, Stella Barahona and Parsa Mousavi Junior Criminal Law Moot – Siya Khatri and Oliver Crawford Open Torts Law Moot – Nipun Kar and Vincent Aquino Open Commercial Law Moot – Madeline Gelagin and Trinity Stockwell Open Criminal Law Moot – Sai Muthukumar, Arav Maharaj and James Wilson Open Contract Law Moot – Zachary Boswell, Vincent Aquino and Rosalia Bautista

INTERVARSITY MOOTING UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Moot – Arav Maharaj, Sai Muthukumar and Taicheng Jin UTS LSS x SULS Nicholas Cowdery AO KC Criminal Law Moot – Rosalia Bautista, Vincent Aquino and Arav Maharaj King & Wood Mallesons Diversity and Pride Moot – Aryenish Kavarana, Melissa Dib and Zachary Boswell Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot – Madeline Gelagin and Trinity Stockwell

SKILLS Open Negotiation Competition – Aryenish Kavarana and Melissa Dib Open Witness Examination Competition – Sophie Hambling Open Client Interview Competition – Mariam Yassine and Bilvika Abburi Junior Negotiation Competition – Anna Sunquidst and Zachary Sullivan Junior Witness Examination Competition – Ruby Ko Junior Client Interview Competition – Chloe Ferreira and Liliana Edwards

INTER VARSITY SKILLS UTS LSS Intervarsity Negotiation Competition – Lucie Vayriot and Rianne Hamad UNSW INTERVARSITY SKILLS COMPETITION: Client Interview – Jackson Radnedge and Noah Darmenia Negotiation – Rosalia Bautista and Zachary Boswell Witness Examination – Sophie Hambling

WRITTEN SKILLS AND BAIL Affidavit Drafting Competition – Hussein Al Saad Advice Writing Competition – Georgia Mitchell Open Bail Competition – Bilvika Abburi and Eda Arslan Junior Bail Competition – Jaad Krayem and Rabab Hafij

AUST RALIAN LAW STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (ALSA) ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE – NIPALUNA, 2024 Negotiation: Lucie Vayriot and Rianne Hamad Witness Examination: Nipun Kar Client Interview: Lara Badr and Georgia Mitchell Mooting: Sai Muthukumar, Taicheng Jin and Blake Sanchez-Cruz

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HOW TO GET INVOLVED No matter whether you are in your first or final year, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in UTS LSS Competitions. Here is how you can get involved as a competitor, volunteer, or judge:

AS A COMPETITOR Competing in UTS LSS Competitions is an excellent way to sharpen your legal skills, build confidence, and network with like-minded peers.

Sign Up: To compete, students must be members of the UTS LSS. You can sign up for a free annual membership via the Activate UTS website.

Choose Your Competition: Keep an eye out for registration announcements on the UTS LSS Facebook page. We run a variety of competitions catering to different skill levels and interests, so there is something for everyone. Read on to find out more about our Competitions Offerings!

AS A VOLUNTEER Volunteering is a fantastic way to gain behind-the-scenes competitions experience, meet new people, and give back to the law school community.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering hours are eligible for Brennan Program recognition, helping you fulfil your extracurricular obligations while contributing to the success of our events. For every hour you volunteer, you are eligible for 1 LTS hour.

Opportunities: Get involved as a volunteer client or witness. Volunteers are integral to ensuring that our competitions run smoothly.

AS A JUDGE Judging provides an invaluable chance to share your expertise and give back to the next generation of law students.

Why Judge?

Judges play a critical role in competitions, offering feedback and guidance to competitors. Brennan Program hours are also available for judges.

Who Can Judge?

We welcome law students who have competed in at least the Open level of the pertinent competition to join us as judges. Training is available for first-time judges. If you are interested in judging, please contact Georgia and Youngone at vpc1@utslss.com and vpc2@utslss.com!

No matter your role, UTS LSS Competitions provide incredible opportunities for skill development, networking, and contributing to our vibrant law school community. Start your journey today!

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Across 2025, the UTS LSS will be running two Junior level Moots, as well as five Open level Subject Moots.

MOOTING

JUNIOR MOOTS:

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• Junior Championship Moot • Junior Criminal Law Moot

SUBJECT MOOTS: • Open Torts Law Moot • Open Commercial Law Moot • Open Criminal Law Moot • Open Contract Law Moot • Open Constitutional Law Moot Teams of two or three students step into the roles of Senior Counsel, Junior Counsel and Instructing Solicitor (optional) advocating for either the Appellant or Respondent in hypothetical appeal cases inspired by real-world legal scenarios. This structure promotes collaboration and mirrors the dynamic of real-life legal teams.

The moot court format replicates courtroom proceedings, allowing competitors to refine their ability to think on their feet, present structured arguments, and respond to judicial questioning. This is a unique opportunity to develop practical skills that are invaluable for a future legal career.

Each moot concludes with feedback from experienced judges, helping you to improve your oral advocacy skills, legal writing, and argument development. Competitors also gain invaluable experience that can prove advantageous for future internships and clerkships.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS

Grab one or two friends and register as a team of either 2 or 3.

ELIGIBILITY

This Moot is only available to first or second-year law students who have never mooted before.

Have taken the subjects Foundations of Law (70102), Contracts (70211) and/or Torts (70311). However, please note that it is not a requirement for students to have completed these subjects to compete!

Consider also competing in the Junior Criminal Law Moot to strengthen your mooting skills! Competing in one does not preclude students from competing in the other, if they compete in both competitions that same year.

The Junior Championship Moot is the perfect starting point for first and second-year law students who are new to mooting. It is designed to introduce students to mooting and advocacy, laying the groundwork for a rewarding mooting journey at UTS. The Junior Championship Moot allows students to apply the legal research and writing skills learnt in 70102 Foundations of Law, as well as gaining experience in practically applying legal concepts covered in 70311 Torts and 70211 Contracts.

Running over eight weeks in the Spring Session, the Junior Championship Moot is broken up into a preliminary round, three general rounds, and three finals rounds.

Key dates include: PRELIMINARY ROUND MONDAY, 11 AUGUST 2025 ROUND 1

MONDAY, 18 AUGUST 2025

ROUND 2

MONDAY, 25 AUGUST 2025

ROUND 3

MONDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2025

QUARTER-FINALS

MONDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

GRAND FINAL

MONDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2025

WHAT TO EXPECT • Two Problem Questions: One relating to torts law and one on contract law.

• Feedback: Experienced judges provide detailed and specific feedback to improve participants’ oral and written submissions.

• Valuable Insights: Finalists receive tips and guidance from respected legal practitioners.

Whether you are a debater, a public speaker, or new to advocacy and just want to give it a go, the Junior Championship Moot is not to be missed!

NANDNI NARWANIA AND STELLA BARAHONA

WINNER OF THE UTS LSS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MOOT 2024 In 2024, we were fortunate enough to have won the Corrs Chambers Westgarth Junior Championship Moot. We both knew that mooting was something we wanted to get involved in, and to get a taste of the courtroom experience. Not only did the competition teach us invaluable skills in oral advocacy, legal research, and how to prepare written submissions the way barristers do, but we came out of the experience with a friend who we will be competing in future moots with.

Despite the challenge and significant effort demanded by preparing written and oral submissions each week, the thrill of applying our classroom knowledge to build a practical case and working collaboratively with each other made this experience incredibly worthwhile.

Our biggest piece of advice is that there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of – you will learn everything you need to know as you go, and also have fun along the way. We highly recommend mooting to all law students who are curious about advocacy or simply want to make their law school experience more engaging and rewarding.

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JUNIOR CRIMINAL LAW MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS ELIGIBILITY

This Moot is only available to first or second-year law students.

It is not necessary to have studied Criminal Law and Procedure (70114) as a subject to compete in this moot; however, it will be beneficial!

Grab one or two friends and register as a team of either 2 or 3.

The Junior Criminal Law Moot is available to all students in their first or second year who have not mooted before, and is a fantastic way for students to get involved in mooting if they are interested in criminal law.

Running at the end of the Spring Session, the Junior Criminal Law Moot follows the structure of all Open Subject Moots, with general rounds running over a weekend (Saturday and Sunday), with a semi-final and a grand-final in the following week (Monday and Wednesday respectively). Key dates include:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASED

SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2025 This Moot is an excellent opportunity for students to sharpen their research and advocacy skills while gaining valuable mooting experience, setting students up for success in future moots.

Director’s Tip: Those who are competing in the UTS LSS Junior Criminal Law Moot can also register and compete in the UTS LSS Junior Championship Moot!

SIYA KHATRI AND OLIVER CRAWFORD

WINNERS OF THE UTS LSS JUNIOR CRIMINAL LAW MOOT 2024

In 2024, we made one of the best decisions of our lives by competing in the Junior Criminal Law Moot. With no prior experience in mooting or public speaking, we were, to say the least, intimidated by the idea of stepping into this unfamiliar territory. However, this challenge turned out to be transformative. Not only did we walk away with the winning trophy, but we also gained newfound confidence, sharper critical thinking skills and a deep sense of selfenrichment.

The experience was as rewarding as it was challenging. It taught us how to think critically, solve problems effectively and perform under time pressure. Throughout the preparation process, both of us became deeply immersed in our fact scenario. By the end of the moot, we had not only achieved a personal sense of accomplishment by participating, but had also developed the ability to tackle complex ideas, identify weaknesses, and refine them into something stronger. Most importantly, we walked away with a renewed sense of confidence in our abilities, something that we are both excited to carry forward into our university studies, professional endeavours and everyday life.

To anyone considering whether to compete in a moot, we cannot recommend it enough. It’s a fantastic opportunity to push your limits, apply your knowledge, and most importantly, have fun while growing in ways you never expected.

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OPEN CRIMINAL LAW MOOT ELIGIBILITY

This Moot is best suited for students in their second year and above. It is recommended that participants first gain experience by competing in the Junior Criminal Law Moot before attempting this more advanced level moot.

TIME COMMITMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Open Criminal Law Moot is open to all UTS LSS members.

While no formal prerequisites are required, students who have completed 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure may find the competition more approachable.

We strongly encourage law students with a keen interest in criminal law and who thrive in structured, high-pressure environments to apply, as well as those seeking to build confidence in public speaking and legal reasoning.

Are you passionate about criminal law? Did you enjoy 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure? Ready to test your advocacy skills in a courtroom setting?

The UTS LSS Open Criminal Law Moot is a chance for students to tackle challenging legal issues, refine their oral advocacy skills, and sharpen their legal reasoning in a simulated appeal courtroom environment.

This Moot runs in the Autumn Semester. Key dates include:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASED

SUNDAY, 13 APRIL 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 7 MAY 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 9 MAY 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 10 MAY – SUNDAY 11 MAY 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY, 12 MAY 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY, 15 M MAY 2025

Competing in this Moot will immerse students in the complexities of criminal law, requiring students to argue nuanced hypothetical cases.

The competition offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to enhance oral and written advocacy skills, a deeper understanding of criminal law and courtroom procedures, and opportunities to network with peers and legal professionals.

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TIME COMMITMENT

OPEN TORTS LAW MOOT ELIGIBILITY

This Moot is best suited for students in their second year and above. It is recommended that participants first gain experience by competing in the Junior Championship Moot and/or the Junior Criminal Law Moot before attempting this more advanced level moot.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Open Torts Law Moot is open to all UTS LSS members. While no formal prerequisites are required, having completed 70311 Torts will be advantageous to competitors.

Kickstart your year with the UTS LSS Open Torts Law Moot!

As the first competition run by the UTS Law Students’ Society (UTS LSS) each year, this Moot dives into contentious tort law issues, giving students hands-on experience in legal analysis, advocacy, and submission drafting.

Competitors will present arguments in a simulated courtroom setting, addressing hypothetical scenarios involving intricate tort law principles. This format closely mirrors real-life legal proceedings, providing participants with the opportunity to develop structured legal arguments and respond to questions from a panel of judges.

This Moot runs in the Autumn Semester. Key dates include:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASED

SUNDAY, 26 JANUARY 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2025

The UTS LSS Open Torts Law Moot is an ideal competition for law students who have an interest in civil litigation, enjoy working in a team environment, and seek to improve their advocacy and public speaking skills. It is especially suitable for those with a passion for tort law and a desire to deepen their knowledge and practical experience.

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ASHURST OPEN COMMERCIAL LAW MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS ELIGIBILITY

The Ashurst Open Commercial Law Moot is open for all UTS Law students to compete in. Whether you are a first year or final year law student, all are welcome to compete in this exciting competition. However, please take note of the following recommendations.

This Moot is best suited for students in their second year and above. It is recommended that participants first gain experience by competing in the Junior Championship and/or Junior Criminal Law Moot before attempting this more advanced level moot.

It is recommended (yet not necessary) that students have studied Commercial Law.

The UTS LSS Ashurst Open Commercial Law Moot presents a great opportunity to students with a keen interest in commercial law to develop their skills. This competition will provide participants with the opportunity to conduct legal research, write submissions and converse with experienced judges on nuanced and complex areas of commercial law.

This Moot runs in the Autumn Semester. Key dates include:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASED

SUNDAY, 2 MARCH 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 26 MARCH 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 28 MARCH 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 29 MARCH – SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY, 31 MARCH 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2025

Whether you have a passion for commercial law, thrived in 70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law or 79018 Advanced Commercial Law, or you are simply interested in developing your legal knowledge outside of the classroom, this moot is perfect for you!

GRACE STRIK

CHAMPION OF THE SIR HARRY GIBBS CONSTITUTIONAL LAW MOOT 2024; PLATE-FINALIST AND 4TH-PLACE INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER AT AUSTRALIAN ROUNDS, 12TH-PLACE MEMORIAL AT INTERNATIONAL ROUNDS OF THE PHILIP C JESSUP PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW MOOT 2024; SEMI-FINALIST OF THE UTS LSS ASHURST COMMERCIAL LAW MOOT 2023 AND UTS LSS CONTRACT LAW MOOT 2023; CHAMPION OF THE UTS LSS CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH JUNIOR MOOT 2022.

I was introduced to mooting in my second year through the UTS LSS’ mooting mentoring program and internal competitions.

At the time I didn’t know much about mooting, but I saw the internal competitions as an opportunity to develop practical legal skills. Since these competitions, I’ve been fortunate enough to compete at the faculty level in the Jessup Moot in Canberra and Washington DC and the Gibbs Moot in Melbourne.

During internal moots, I found my passion for mooting; there was something very rewarding about engaging with my talented peers and esteemed judges on complex points of law. I learnt a lot through competing in internal moots. Preparing for moots develops your skills in legal research, writing, communication, critical thinking (also teamwork, time management and ability to work under pressure), and participating in the rounds pushes you to communicate clearly, engage with the bench effectively, round out arguments, and think on your feet when answering questions and subsequently adapting your submissions. These skills are the bread and butter of our law studies, and were certainly vital for competing at the faculty level.

Through participating in internal competitions, I was also introduced to a community within UTS Law – dedicated volunteers and judges invested in my development as a mooter, providing valuable mentorship, and I have developed some of my closest friendships through mooting. You are able to get as much out of participating in these internal competitions as you put in. There is no better way to develop your practical legal skills than throwing yourself in the deep end and giving it a go.

Internal moots were the stepping stone to some of my most formative and memorable university experiences.

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OPEN CONTRACT LAW MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS ELIGIBILITY

The Open Contract Law Moot is open for all UTS Law students to compete in. Whether you are a first year or final year law student, all are welcome to compete!

This Moot is best suited for students who have studied 70211 Contracts.

It is recommended that participants first gain experience by competing in the Junior Championship and/or Junior Criminal Law Moot before attempting this more advanced level moot.

However, it is not mandatory for students to have studied Contract Law or to have participated in Junior mooting. There have been plenty of successful Competitors who have jumped right in to competing in Open Moots!

Calling all contract law enthusiasts! The UTS LSS Open Contract Law Moot is a chance for students to hone legal research and advocacy skills, craft compelling submissions, and engage with experienced judges in a courtroom setting.

Contract law is a core area of study at UTS which is typically studied earlier within the UTS Law degree and is widely practiced. Building on foundational contract law knowledge, this Moot gives students the chance to explore the realworld application of key principles and prepares students for future challenges.

This Moot runs in the Spring Semester. Key dates include:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASED

SUNDAY, 6 JULY 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 1 AUGUST 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 2 AUGUST – SUNDAY 3 AUGUST 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY, 4 AUGUST 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025

Competing in the UTS LSS Open Contract Law Moot is also a fantastic starting point and stepping stone to competing in intervarsity moots, such as the UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Moot!

VINCENT AQUINO

WINNER OF THE OPENS TORTS LAW MOOT 2024 AND THE OPENS CONTRACT LAW MOOT 2024

Last year, I was fortunate to compete in and win several moots, including the Tort Law Moot and the Contract Law Moot.

The Torts moot concerned a defamation claim regarding social media posts, while the Contracts moot concerned a disagreement between property developers.

I started mooting to challenge myself and understand the nuances behind a Court hearing (and because my resume had nothing on it at the time). I was lucky enough to share this experience with my friends, as we motivated each other to compete together.

There are many benefits I’ve gotten out of competing. Firstly, skills. The ability to converse with judges, research cases, and apply the law – all important at a professional level. Before mooting, I had no clue how to speak without a script, what Court submissions looked like, or what the term “counsel” meant. Secondly, experiences. A sense of achievement and tangible moments that you can share at Uni, in interviews, or even in the Inaugural Competitions Guide. Finally, connections. In many ways, mooting has introduced me to the LSS, offering immense value to my Uni experience and allowing me to make many friends along the way!

If you would like to deal with the law practically – in a way that differs from your studies alone – and get out of your comfort zone in a controlled and fun environment, competing is the way to go. As a competitor, you should aim to develop your own style, always prepare thoroughly, and most importantly, have fun. See you in Court!

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TIME COMMITMENT

OPEN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW MOOT ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

This Moot is best suited for students in their second year and above. It is highly recommended that participants first gain experience by competing in the Junior Championship Moot and/or the Junior Criminal Law Moot before attempting this more advanced level moot.

The Open Constitutional Law Moot is open to all UTS LSS members. While no formal prerequisites are required, having studied 70616 Australian Constitutional Law will be advantageous to prospective competitors.

Finish your year off on a high note by competing in the Open Constitutional Law Moot!

As the final Subject Moot of the UTS LSS’ competitions calendar year, this Moot presents the ultimate constitutional law challenge for aspiring legal advocates. Dive deep into pressing and nuanced constitutional issues as you enhance your legal research skills and craft persuasive submissions. This Moot will push competitors to think critically about constitutional interpretation and its application to practical scenarios.

This Moot runs in the Spring Semester. Key dates include:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASED

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2025

SEMI-FINALS

MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2025

Given the immersive and dynamic nature of the Open Constitutional Law Moot, this competition is a must for those looking to expand their knowledge outside of what has been taught in the classroom and for those eager to test their skills in a competitive setting.

Competing in the UTS LSS Open Constitutional Law Moot is also a fantastic starting point and stepping stone to competing in intervarsity and faculty moots, such as the Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot!

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MOOTING MENTORING PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

This Program is best suited to students who have never mooted before.

However, students who have mooted previously or have previously been a Program participant and would like to freshen up on their mooting skills are still eligible and invited to participate, depending on whether capacity has been reached. Please note that (if capacity is reached) preference will be given to first time participants who do not have prior mooting experience.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Ensure that you are able to commit to the weekly workshops so that you maximise the tips, tricks and knowledge that this program has to offer you for the success of your mooting journey!

Consider extending your involvement in the Mooting Mentoring Program by participating in the MMP Moot Intensive that comes two weeks after the final workshop. The Moot Intensive will give students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained in a practical setting, setting them up for success in the upcoming Junior or Open Moots.

Want to get involved in mooting but don’t know where to start? The Mooting Mentoring Program (MMP) is an excellent opportunity for law students at all stages of their degree to learn and develop fundamental research, writing and advocacy skills. Running in the Autumn Session in 2025, the Mooting Mentoring Program begins with a panel discussion where students can hear from experienced legal practitioners such as solicitors and barristers about all things advocacy. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, ensuring that they receive top quality advice before signing up for their first competition.

In addition to the panel, the Mooting Mentoring Program has three weekly workshops designed to teach new competitors how to tackle the daunting task of developing an ironclad case and advocating it before a judge from start to finish.

In addition to the weekly workshops, participants will have the opportunity to attend drop-in sessions with experienced mooting mentors to ask questions and seek advice on the different aspects of mooting, including legal research, written submissions and oral submissions. These drop-in sessions will occur prior to the oral rounds of the MMP Moot Intensive, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of advocacy before practically applying their skills in the MMP Moot Intensive if they choose to compete.

The program will be run by experienced competitors, judges, and academics who possess a wealth of knowledge which will benefit participants greatly, providing a solid foundation so all students are ready to hit the ground running for the exciting mooting opportunities that arise throughout the year and their degree.

Please note the following Key Dates of the Mooting Mentoring Program:

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TIME COMMITMENT

SESSION 1

WEEK COMMENCING 17 MARCH 2025

SESSION 2

WEEK COMMENCING 24 MARCH 2025

SESSION 3

WEEK COMMENCING 31 MARCH 2025

SESSION 4

WEEK COMMENCING 7 APRIL 2025

INTENSIVES

The UTS LSS offers Intensives throughout the year to introduce students to the range of skills and mooting competitions available. Intensives provide a hands-on opportunity for students to experience what competing entails, familiarise themselves with the structure of the competitions, and gain valuable insights before participating at a Junior level.

The Gauntlet Skills Competition provides students with an overview of and introduction to the UTS LSS’ three skills competitions: Client Interview, Negotiation, and Witness Examination.

The MMP Moot Intensive – a new initiative in 2025 – aims to ease students new to mooting into advocacy in an encouraging and supportive environment. This Intensive will guide students through the ins and outs of mooting, including legal research, written and oral submissions, and engagement with the bench.

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TIME COMMITMENT

MOOTING

MENTORING PROGRAM MOOT INTENSIVE ELIGIBILITY

This Program is best suited for firsttime mooters who want to give mooting a go before diving into the Junior Moots and/or the Open Moots.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is strongly recommended that students participate in the Mooting Mentoring Program prior to competing in the MMP Moot Intensive.

Making its debut in 2025, the MMP Moot Intensive is a moot in a condensed format available to all first-time mooters, regardless of the stage of their law degree. The Intensive will run towards the end of the Autumn Session, and is a perfect opportunity for participants of the Mooting Mentoring Program to apply the skills they learnt and receive valuable practical experience before jumping into the junior moots in the Spring Session.

The Intensive is designed to follow on from the Mooting Mentoring Program, focusing largely on the advocacy skills of participants and encouraging students to begin to find and develop their own mooting style.

The problem question may consist of torts, contract, or criminal law, and will provide students with the necessary cases required to answer the question (though additional research is never discouraged!).

Please note the Key Dates for this Intensive below:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASE

SUNDAY, 13 APRIL 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 23 APRIL 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 25 APRIL 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS

SATURDAY 26 APRIL – SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

Serving as a way to break the barrier into mooting, participating in the MMP Moot Intensive is a great way to strengthen your advocacy skills in a judgment-free environment, receiving detailed feedback from judges and providing you with a head-start on the competition!

Please note: Junior competitors in their first and second-year who take part in the MMP Moot Intensive will not be restricted from other junior moots (including the Junior Championship Moot and the Junior Criminal Law Moot). In fact, the experience gained through the Intensive will directly benefit their performance in future Junior and Open Moots.

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GAUNTLET SKILLS COMPETITION

TIME COMMITMENT

ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

Be in the first year of your law degree (eg. if you studied Commerce at ANU for a year then transferred into UTS law and this is your first year of studying UTS law, you are eligible to compete).

Be keen to get a taste of all the Skills Competitions the UTS LSS has to offer – Client Interview, Negotiation, and Witness Examination.

Volunteer as a Client or Witness in our Open Competitions to familiarise yourself with some of the competitions beforehand.

The Gauntlet Skills Competition is a boot-camp style, weekend long winter break competition designed for first-year law students to build foundational skills through introductory workshops and rounds in Client Interview, Negotiation, and Witness Examination.

Students first attend short workshops, presented by the Skills Competitions Directors, that outline how to effectively compete in each of the three competitions. Following this, teams of two students will attempt each of the competitions and receive feedback and advice from experienced judges and seasoned competitors. It is an invaluable opportunity to explore all of the Skills Competitions on offer throughout your degree, giving participants a taste of each in a supportive learning environment.

Many participants go on to compete in Junior and Open Skills Competitions, making it a valuable starting point and a strong foundation for aspiring competitors. This is a fantastic starting point if you intend to compete in the UTS LSS Junior Skills Competitions which run shortly after during the Spring Session.

KEEN TO APPLY?

This competition is only open to UTS LSS members who are in the first year of any law degree. Register as an individual, or grab a friend and register as a pair! Keep an eye out on our socials in early July for registration details!

KEY DATES

The Gauntlet Skills Competition is scheduled to run over the weekend of 26–27 July 2025. The workshops will take place in the week prior to the Gauntlet Skills Competition rounds.

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Negotiation, Client Interview and Witness Examination are the three Skills Competitions run by the UTS LSS, all offered at Junior and Open levels to accommodate students’ varying experiences. The Junior skills competitions are offered to firstand second-year students who have never competed before.

The Open skills competitions are available to all students to compete, however are designed for those with previous experience. This tiered structure of competition ensures that all participants can compete in a supportive environment which caters to their current skill level.

Similarly to the Skills Competitions, the UTS LSS runs an Open and Junior Bail Competition annually, providing students with the opportunity to refine their criminal law advocacy skills.

The UTS LSS also facilitates two Written Skills Competitions: $GYLFH :ULWLQJ DQG $IƓGDYLW 'UDIWLQJ These are the only competitions which have no ‘in-person’ requirements; instead, competitors conduct research and submit their written responses for marking.

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SKILLS

The UTS LSS offers a variety of practical and written skills competitions designed to help students develop legal skills essential to legal practice.

TIME COMMITMENT

CLIENT INTERVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS

Students from all years are welcome to compete in the Open Client Interview Competition, regardless of their level of experience; however, ideally, competitors would be law students from their second year up. It is recommended that if you are a first- or second-year student who has never competed in Client Interview before, you compete in the Junior Client Interview Competition first.

Client Interview is a fantastic way for law students to gain the invaluable skill of effectively building a positive work relationship with a client; an essential legal skill in the workforce.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

In pairs, competitors assume the role of solicitors to conduct a 30-minute interview with a client, simulating an initial legal consultation. Competitors are tasked with eliciting information from the client before providing preliminary advice on the relevant issues and area(s) of law, including possible courses of legal and non-legal action, before concluding the interview in a timely manner. In doing so, competitors will be faced with complex legal problems, moral and ethical issues, and the need to manage the client’s varying expectations regarding the meeting’s goals.

Post-interview, competitors have five minutes to prepare a five-minute long reflection upon the strengths and weaknesses of their client interview, both as competitors and lawyers. Once the reflection has been presented, competitors are provided with feedback at the end of their round by their judge(s).

WHEN CAN I COMPETE?

There are two internal Client Interview Competitions to look out for this year!

1.

2.

The Open Client Interview competition is held in Semester One. The competition is held weekly on Wednesdays, consisting of a preliminary round and three general rounds, followed by the quarter-final, semi-final and grand final. This year, the Open Client Interview competition will take place between 12 March 2025 to 30 April 2025 (Week 4 – Week 10).

The Junior Client Interview Competition is held in Semester Two for UTS Law students in their first or second year. This is the perfect opportunity for students who have never competed before to gain experience in the competition in an encouraging and supportive environment. The Junior Client Interview Competition follows the same format as the Open Client Interview Competition, scheduled to take place 20 August 2025 to 8 October 2025 (Week 4 – Week 10).

MELISSA DIB

WINNER OF THE UTS LSS OPEN CLIENT INTERVIEW COMPETITION 2023 AND UTS LSS ALSA CLIENT INTERVIEW DELEGATE 2023

One of my favourite skills competitions at UTS is Client Interview. It is such a fun way to work in pairs, and really engage with the client’s problem. I began competing because I wanted to put myself out there and engage more with the LSS, and I thought this could be a fun way to do that! The questions were fun, complex and challenging and the judges were always there to provide valuable feedback. I began competing in Client Interview in 2022 in the Junior Client Interview Competition and was able to develop so many skills in client interaction, teamwork, and communication and it developed my confidence. After grand-finaling the junior competition, my partner, Caitlin and I decided to compete in the Open Client Interview competition in 2023, where we got to showcase how far we had come with our interview skills. We were fortunate enough to win the competition and be selected to compete at a national level at the Australian Law Students’ Association conference in 2023. This competition provides students like myself a chance to test our practical legal skills, learn how to ask direct questions to elicit more information from the ‘clients’, and have so much fun whilst doing it. I highly recommend client interview competitions, it was one of the less time-consuming competitions to prepare for and one that set the tone for my competition journey at UTS! Don’t be afraid to take that first step and begin competing, you’ll be surprised just how much you learn and grow in such a short period of time!!

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TIME COMMITMENT

NEGOTIATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Students from all years are welcome to compete in the Open Negotiation Competition, regardless of their level of experience; however, ideally, competitors would be law students from their second year up.

It is recommended that if you are a first- or second-year student who has never competed in Negotiation before, you compete in the Junior Negotiation Competition first.

Negotiation challenges participants to resolve legal disputes and advocate for their client’s best interests in a professional and collaborative setting.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Two teams of two students acting as solicitors are each presented with a legal problem. Teams receive shared and confidential facts, along with detailed client instructions outlining their objectives and constraints. Over a 50-minute session, teams negotiate to achieve an agreement that aligns with their client’s goals, with the option to take a fiveminute strategy break as part of the allocated time. Throughout the negotiation, a judge evaluates the teams on their strategy, collaboration, and ability to effectively address their client’s needs. This competition provides an excellent opportunity to develop critical problem-solving, communication, and advocacy skills in a realistic legal context.

WHEN CAN I COMPETE?

There are two internal Negotiation Competitions to look out for this year!

1.

The Open Negotiation competition is held in Semester One. The competition is held weekly on Tuesdays, consisting of a preliminary round and three general rounds, followed by the quarter-final, semi-final and grand final. This year, the Open Negotiation competition will take place between 11 March 2025 to 29 April 2025 (Week 4 – Week 10).

2.

The Junior Negotiation Competition is held in Semester Two for UTS Law students in their first or second year. This is the perfect opportunity for students who have never competed before to gain experience in the competition in an encouraging and supportive environment. The Junior Negotiation Competition follows the same format as the Open Negotiation Competition, scheduled to take place each Tuesday between 19 August 2025 to 7 October 2025 (Week 4 – Week 10).

ANNA SUNQUIDST AND ZACHARY SULLIVAN

WINNERS OF THE UTS LSS JUNIOR NEGOTIATION COMPETITION 2024

We had an awesome time competing in the 2024 UTS LSS Junior Negotiation Competition! It was so much fun and a great way to meet new people every week. The scenarios provided to the teams were both engaging and interesting, and allowed everyone to problem-solve by thinking out of the box.

We started competing because we had watched the previous Junior Negotiation competition and knew it was something fun that we would be able to do. Negotiation allows you to practice thinking on the spot both quickly and creatively. The competition also allows you to develop professional relationships with your peers, which is something you simply do not experience outside of the competition’s environment. Negotiation is a great competition to get involved in because it allows you to be creative and spontaneous. It is also an awesome opportunity to strengthen a friendship with your partner, because by the end of the competition you will end up reading each other’s mind!

If you do choose to compete in Negotiation, some tips and tricks we recommend is having a clear nonverbal communication strategy with your partner, and a flexible agenda filled with creative solutions for all of your contentious issues!

25

TIME COMMITMENT

WITNESS EXAMINATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Whilst it is not a prerequisite, completing 70109 Evidence will be incredibly helpful to competitors particularly when making objections.

Witness Examination is a chance for competitors to showcase their ability to ask sharp questions within the boundaries of Evidence Law and use the evidence adduced to bolster their case. This is an opportunity to develop your legal and advocacy skills under timed pressure, guide your witness effectively, build a strong case, and handle objections from opposing counsel and the judge.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Competitors are assigned to either act as the Crown (Prosecution) or the Defence.

They are given 60 minutes to read the problem question and prepare their case.

The problem question usually concerns breaches of the Crimes Act 1900 and includes the relevant laws and witness statements. Then, competitors are given 30 minutes during which they can prepare their own witness for the Examination in Chief and the opposition’s Cross Examination.

During the round, competitors will present their opening statements, examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and closing statements to the judge(s). Competitors will be required to know and apply the rules of the Evidence Act, both by adhering to the evidence rules and raising objections to the opposing counsel.

WHEN CAN I COMPETE?

There are two internal Witness Examination competitions to look out for this year!

1.

The Open Witness Examination Competition is held weekly on Thursdays in Semester One. The competition consists of a preliminary round and three general rounds, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and grand final. This year, the Open Witness Examination competition will take place between 13 March 2025 to 1 May 2025 (Week 4 – Week 10).

2.

The Junior Witness Examination Competition is held in Semester Two for UTS Law students in their first or second year. This is the perfect opportunity for students who have never competed before to gain experience in an encouraging and supportive environment. The Junior Witness Examination Competition follows the same format as the Open Witness Examination Competition, scheduled to take place on Thursdays between 21 August 2025 to 9 October 2025 (Week 4 – Week 10).

RUBY KO

WINNER OF THE UTS LSS JUNIOR WITNESS EXAMINATION COMPETITION 2024

Participating in the 2024 UTS LSS Junior Witness Examination Competition was an invaluable experience, and one that I would recommend to all aspiring advocates. This competition provides a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a realistic setting while developing essential legal skills. Learning about Criminal Law and the Evidence Act is one thing, but actually objecting, cross-examining and crafting a coherent narrative on the fly is an experience that has undoubtedly enhanced my law school journey.

There is no denying that Wit-Ex is one of the tougher competitions – you’re on your own, the preparation time is stressful and cross-examining a difficult witness can be gruelling. However, the LSS have created an incredibly supportive community of fellow competitors, judges and volunteer witnesses who provide you with ample feedback after each round, and seeing your own improvement each week is rewarding. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback not only from the judges, but from your peers and also past competitors – everyone wants to see you succeed and improve!

I strongly recommend this competition to any law students who are dynamic learners and want to improve their legal thinking and advocacy skills – or simply anyone who has memorised the cross-examination scene in Legally Blonde!

Not only is this competition a safe space, but it provides a valuable practical experience that cannot be gained from textbook learning alone!

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TIME COMMITMENT

WRITTEN SKILLS ELIGIBILITY

All UTS LSS members, irrespective of your year of study, are encouraged to apply! There are no subject prerequisites – success in these competitions will be dependent upon your ability to write concisely and research thoroughly.

RECOMMENDATIONS • Having studied 70104 Civil Law and Procedure and 70109 Evidence will be useful to Advice Writing and Affidavit Drafting competitors respectively. However, please note this is not a prerequisite and will not give any competitor a significant advantage.

The UTS LSS runs two Written Skills competitions annually: the Advice Writing Competition and the Affidavit Drafting Competition. The UTS LSS is excited to announce that this year, both competitions will be sponsored by Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

Unlike the UTS LSS’ other skills and mooting competitions, the two Written Skills Competitions are designed for virtual participation and have no in-person component.

The competitions consist solely of research and drafting and are submitted online.

This is a fantastic way to get involved in competitions without the need to travel or attend weekly rounds. Participants can complete their submissions from the comfort of their own home, making it a flexible and accessible competition opportunity! Both competitions focus on developing essential skills such as legal research, drafting, and attention to detail, all of which are crucial for a successful career in law.

THE UTS LSS SPARKE HELMORE LAWYERS ADVICE WRITING COMPETITION

THE UTS LSS SPARKE HELMORE LAWYERS AFFIDAVIT DRAFTING COMPETITION

This competition requires students to formulate written legal advice by engaging with a set of facts.

The competition is designed to emulate a practical task that could be assigned to a junior lawyer working at a law firm. The competition is also similar to an examination required by many law subjects at university.

This competition provides students with additional experience and confidence to hone their advice writing skills which every aspiring lawyer can benefit from.

In the second Written Skills competition of the year, students are required to draft an affidavit from a unique set of facts. Competitors will be judged on how well they are able to separate important facts from irrelevant details and evidential issues. Affidavit drafting is a critical legal skill to develop, particularly for those competitors who wish to practice post-graduation.

This competition does not require any subject prerequisites and is open to all students of any year.

The competition will be achievable by first year students with little advice writing experience, however sufficient research will be required.

KEY DATES – ADVICE WRITING COMPETITION The Advice Writing Competition runs early on in the Autumn Session. Registrations will open on 7 February 2025 and will close on 15 February 2025. The question and competition material is set to be released on 18 February 2025, with submissions due on 5 March 2025. Once all the letters of advice have been carefully marked, the winner and runner-up will be announced and feedback will be provided to all competitors!

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Similarly to the Advice Writing Competition, the Affidavit Writing Competition does not have any prerequisites and is open to students of all years.

KEY DATES – AFFIDAVIT DRAFTING COMPETITION Registrations to participate in the Affidavit Drafting Competition open on June 27 2025 and close on 5 July 2025. Competition materials will be released to all competitors on -XO\ ZLWK GUDIW DIƓGDYLWV GXH for submission on 23 July 2025.

TIME COMMITMENT

BAIL COMPETITION RECOMMENDATIONS

Students from all years are welcome to compete in the Open Bail Competition, regardless of their level of experience; however, ideally, competitors would be law students from their second year up.

It is recommended that if you are a first or second-year student who has never competed in the Bail Competition before, you compete in the Junior Bail Competition first.

Run in collaboration with the Law Faculty, the Junior and Open Bail Competitions provide aspiring advocates and future criminal law professionals with a unique opportunity to hone their advocacy skills. Competitors will have the chance to showcase their advocacy by presenting a bail application, refining their practical legal techniques and gaining valuable experience in a real-life criminal law scenario.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Prior to the competition, Law Faculty staff will lead a bail and advocacy workshop, providing competitors with the opportunity to develop and refine their understanding of oral advocacy techniques and procedures. Following this masterclass, competitors are provided with two days to prepare their oral submissions for a bail application, alongside any relevant supporting documents, which are served upon their respective opponents.

On the day of the competition, students will compete in two rounds in the following order: A prepared round, where competitors present their submissions (which they 1. prepared prior) to the judge and respond to their opponent’s arguments.

An on-feet round, where students will be given 90 minutes to prepare and deliver a 2.

WHEN CAN I COMPETE?

There are two Bail Competitions running in 2025!

1.

The Junior Bail Competition is perfectly suited to first- or second-year students who are keen to test their advocacy skills over a single week. This competition aims to provide Junior competitors with an opportunity to gain early experience in advocacy and build confidence in their skills. The Junior Bail Competition will take place in the STUVAC week of the Spring Semester (week commencing 22 September 2025).

2.

The Open Bail Competition is open to all law students; however, competitors in their penultimate or final year or students who have an interest in criminal law are strongly encouraged to apply. The Open Bail Competition will take place in the STUVAC week of the Autumn Semester (week commencing 14 April 2025).

BILVIKA ABBURI

WINNER OF THE OPEN BAIL COMPETITION 2024

I could not recommend getting involved in UTS LSS Competitions and Advocacy more! Like many of you, I first heard about UTS Competitions through O’Day and Law Camp, but I was naturally a bit hesitant to put myself out there. Nonetheless, a few friends and I signed up for junior mooting, and I absolutely fell in love with advocacy and have been competing since! I have found UTS LSS Competitions to be an excellent opportunity to develop your communication and critical thinking skills, but also just a really fun opportunity to grab a suit and your friends and pretend to be real lawyers for the day! By mimicking real-life legal problems, whether being a solicitor in a client interview or negotiation or a barrister in an appeals court, UTS LSS Competitions have helped me understand the difference between transactional, litigious and advocacy lawyers and narrow down what I enjoy and want to do in the future as a practitioner.

Specifically, I recommend that you give the Bail Competition a go! Whether it is your first competition or you are an experienced competitor, the bail competition is a one-day competition where you, as a practitioner, must present to the court a case as to why your client should receive bail or, if you are the Crown Solicitor, why bail should be denied.

It is quick. It is simple. And it gives you great insight into real-life court advocacy! Engaging in competitions gives you great insight into real-life practice, so my best advice would be to just give it a GIVE IT GO!

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INTERVARSITY COMPETITIONS 29

The UTS LSS host and participate in a number of skills and mooting intervarsity competitions annually. These competitions allow seasoned UTS LSS competitors to test their skills and refine their craft against talented students from other universities at a local, national and international level.

In order to compete at intervarsity competitions, interested students are required to submit an application to be considered. Each intervarsity competition has its own set of prerequisites and requirements, which will vary depending on the nature and calibre of each competition. Once the application period closes, a selection panel will carefully and thoroughly review all applications to ensure that the most qualified candidates are chosen to represent UTS Law and the UTS LSS at these prestigious events.

Before applying to compete at intervarsity competitions, it is recommended that students partake in the respective internal UTS LSS competitions to gain experience and develop their practical legal skills.

UTS LSS MADDOCKS

TIME COMMITMENT

INTERVARSITY NEGOTIATION COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

All UTS LSS members with an interest in Negotiation are encouraged to apply. Please note that this is a highly anticipated and prestigious competition and applicants who can demonstrate success in internal and intervarsity Negotiation Competitions will be preferred in the selection process.

Be able to demonstrate previous success in internal and intervarsity Negotiation Competitions on your application.

It is recommended that participants have achieved success in the UTS LSS Intervarsity Negotiation Competition and/or the Intervarsity UNSW Negotiation Competition to enhance the competitive edge of their applications.

Apply as a team of two with someone who you have competed together with before to demonstrate teamwork skills.

The UTS LSS Maddocks Intervarsity Negotiation Competition is the largest annual intervarsity negotiation competition that brings together passionate law students from universities across Australia. With seven universities and fourteen teams participating in 2024, this competition provides students with an unparalleled platform to showcase their negotiation skills in a challenging and supportive environment.

The competition provides students with the chance to assume the role of counsel and apply practical and collaborative skills to secure the most favourable outcomes for their clients. It provides not only hands-on experience in client advocacy but also the opportunity to receive insightful feedback from experienced judges, such as esteemed solicitors, barristers and world-class negotiators with expertise in the field.

The competition is tailored to law students who enjoy problem-solving, working collaboratively, and are interested in alternative dispute resolution and client advocacy. While there are no formal prerequisites, it is advised that students compete in both Junior and Open Negotiation Competitions before entering.

Currently, the competition is scheduled to be held over the weekend of 12–13 April 2025. UTS will submit two teams consisting of two competitors each.

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TIME COMMITMENT

UTS LSS ASHURST

INTERVARSITY LEGAL TECHNOLOGY MOOT ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

All UTS LSS members with an interest in mooting and Contract Law are encouraged to apply. Please note that this is a highly prestigious competition that attracts a pool of very competitive applicants.

As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots will be preferred.

Have ideally taken the subject 70211 Contracts and Procedure. However, this is not a requirement.

Have ideally participated in the Open Contract Law Moot. However, this is not a requirement.

Launched by the UTS LSS in 2017, the Intervarsity Legal Technology Moot offers students the opportunity to learn, deepen and apply their legal knowledge in areas such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and smart contracts.

The only competition of its kind in Australia, this Moot challenges the ability of competitors’ to apply their critical and creative problem solving skills and legal analysis in order to navigate the intersection of law and technology.

This competition will immerse competitors in the complexities of modern technology and prompt them to grapple with its interactions with torts, contracts and intellectual property. Centred upon the subject area of legal technology, previous problem questions have included tortious liability surrounding drone software malfunctions, whether a smart contract is capable of legally binding parties, and whether copyright can subsist in an artwork generated by distributed applications on the Ethereum blockchain.

Like all universities, UTS is able to send two teams to compete in this competition. Individuals or teams of two to three are welcome to apply.

Please note the tentative Key Dates for this competition below:

PROBLEM QUESTION RELEASE

MONDAY, 7 JULY 2025

APPELLANT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025

RESPONDENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS DUE

6PM FRIDAY, 8 AUGUST 2025

GENERAL ROUNDS AND SEMI-FINALS

SATURDAY 9 AUGUST – SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 2025

GRAND FINAL

WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025

JAMES WILSON

UTS LSS HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS INTERVARSITY LEGAL TECHNOLOGY MOOT 2024 COMPETITOR

This was my first intervarsity moot. If you’re here because you love technology or want specific subject matter expertise for future moots, you may find this competition differs from your expectations.

Over the few moots I’ve done, the topics always prove more complex than they seem. For instance, the UTS LSS 2024 Open Tort Moot was on defamation (not covered in class) and the UTS LSS 2024 Criminal Law Moot addressed coercive control (legislation not yet in force). The Intervarsity Legal Tech Moot was no different. While it focused on data breaches and the Privacy Act 1988, the real legal questions centred on legal professional privilege and concurrent proceedings.

Expect an unexpected, novel problem—because that’s the essence of mooting. The UTS LSS consistently delivers challenging questions, so embrace the opportunity to tackle something new and push your legal reasoning skills further. Intervarsity moots are also more demanding than internal competitions, with judges including barristers, solicitors, and senior law students (usually only reserved for finals in internal competitions). Competing against top mooters from other universities is daunting, but ultimately, it’s what makes intervarsity moots so rewarding.

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TIME COMMITMENT

UTS LSS X SULS

NICHOLAS COWDERY AO KC CRIMINAL LAW MOOT ELIGIBILITY

All UTS LSS members with an interest in mooting and the Criminal Law are encouraged to apply. Please note that this is a highly anticipated competition that tends to attract a pool of very competitive applicants.

As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots will be preferred.

If you are a criminal law enthusiast and an experienced student advocate, the UTS LSS x SULS Nicholas Cowdery AO KC Criminal Law Moot is for you!

The prestigious bilateral moot is named after Mr Nicholas Cowdery AO KC, long-serving barrister with over 45 years experience in criminal law, common law, administrative law and commercial law, and the former Director of Public Prosecutions for New South Wales from 1994 to 2011. Mr Nicholas Cowdery AO KC chairs the bench of the moot, alongside a number of other eminent judges.

As an intervarsity bilateral moot, the competition takes the form of a one round, ‘winner takes all’ competition. A fiercely competitive Moot fought annually between UTS LSS and Sydney University Law Society (SULS), experienced competitors will grapple with a question of criminal law.

The UTS LSS will send one team consisting of three (3) students to test their advocacy skills against the SULS representatives.

This year, the Competition will be hosted by the UTS LSS. It is tentatively scheduled to take place at 6:30pm on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Have ideally taken the subject 70104 Criminal Law and Procedure. However, this is not a requirement.

Have ideally participated in the Junior Criminal Law Moot and/or the Open Criminal Law Moot. However, this is not a requirement.

Register with teammates with whom you have competed with before to demonstrate teamwork.

ROSALIA BAUTISTA

WINNER OF THE UTS LSS X SULS NICHOLAS COWDERY AO KC CRIMINAL LAW MOOT 2024

Competing in the 2024 Nicholas Cowdery Criminal Law Moot was an invaluable experience which allowed me to delve into an interesting area of criminal law, and improved my confidence and advocacy skills. As one of the bilateral intervarsity moots which the LSS offers, I enjoyed the mentorship provided, as well as the thrill of competing against another university. This moot challenged my way of thinking as it pushed me to put forward the most compelling legal argument, and taught me to anticipate surprise alternate arguments brought up during oral submissions. For anyone interested, I highly recommend gaining as much experience as you can through the Junior and Open internal competitions run by the UTS LSS, as it will help you so much with composing written submissions, your adaptability when answering questions, and taking on feedback from practice rounds before the moot. You will learn so much as an advocate, and I cannot speak highly enough of this moot!

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TIME COMMITMENT

UTS LSS X MULS BILATERAL CONTRACT LAW MOOT ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

All UTS LSS members with a keen interest in legal technology affairs and mooting are encouraged to apply. Please note this is a highly anticipated competition that typically attracts a pool of very competitive applicants. As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots will be preferred in the selection process.

Be able to demonstrate prior experience and success in internal and/or intervarsity mooting competitions.

Have a keen interest and knowledge in legal technology affairs.

The UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Law Moot offers contract law enthusiasts and experienced mooters the opportunity to compete against the brightest minds from UTS and Macquarie University.

The UTS LSS will send one team consisting of three (3) – Senior Counsel, Junior Counsel and Instructing Solicitor – to test their advocacy skills against the Macquarie University Law Society (MULS) representatives. Given the competitive and intricate nature of the Bilateral Contract Law Moot, previous mooting experience is essential.

As an intervarsity bilateral moot, the competition takes the form of a one round, ‘winner takes all’ competition.

This year, the UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Law Moot will be hosted by the UTS LSS! The Moot will take place in the Autumn Session, however the specific date of the Moot is yet to be confirmed. Please keep an eye out for registration details and key dates around March!

TAICHENG JIN ARAV MAHARAJ

WINNER OF THE UTS LSS X MULS BILATERAL CONTRACT MOOT 2024, THE UTS LSS OPEN CRIMINAL LAW MOOT 2024, AND THE UTS LSS X SULS NICHOLAS COWDERY AO KC MOOT 2024

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of competing in a range of open and intervarsity moots, including the Nicholas Cowdery AO KC Criminal Law Moot and the UTS LSS x MULS Bilateral Contract Law Moot.

After weeks of preparation, we were rewarded with the opportunity to advocate before esteemed legal professionals, including Supreme Court judges and the former Directors of Public Prosecutions, achieving success in both competitions.

At UTS, mooting has connected me with a community of passionate and driven peers and mentors, while allowing me to collaborate with an exceptionally talented cohort of law students.

For those considering competitions and mooting, my advice is simple: just start. It’s natural to feel out of your depth initially, but with thorough preparation and an openness to constructive feedback, you’ll uncover the immense rewards of developing practical legal skills.

Mooting has been a cornerstone of my legal education.

Whether you’re aspiring to become an advocate or simply looking to develop your skills, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try. It’s an experience you won’t regret.

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UTS LSS ALSA CHAMPIONSHIP MOOT QUARTERFINALIST 2024; WINNER OF THE KWM BILATERAL CONTRACT LAW MOOT 2024

I first got involved in mooting to challenge myself to think critically under pressure and to develop essential legal writing and advocacy skills. Some of the recent highlights of my mooting journey include winning the Intervarsity Bilateral Contracts Moot in May 2024 and representing UTS at the ALSA Championship Moot in Tasmania later that year.

My advice for students is to approach every moot as a learning opportunity. Whether it’s conducting legal research, preparing written submissions, answering challenging questions from the bench, or collaborating with your teammates, mooting develops skills that are invaluable in practice. Participating in mooting competitions throughout my studies has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I highly recommend it to everyone—not only for its practical benefits but also for the opportunity to form lasting friendships and connections with like-minded peers.

INTERVARSITY DIVERSITY AND PRIDE MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

ELIGIBILITY

This is a highly prestigious moot that tends to attract a pool of competitive applicants. As such, applicants who can demonstrate that they align with the spirit of this moot and prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots will be preferred.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Have ideally competed and achieved success in internal and/or intervarsity moots.

The Intervarsity Diversity and Pride Moot is an intervarsity moot designed to provide LGBTQIA+ students with an opportunity to develop their legal skills in a welcoming and supportive environment. This moot also welcomes students of diverse backgrounds and LGBTQIA+ allies, promoting and highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity within the legal industry.

The Intervarsity Diversity and Pride Moot covers a wide range of topics with a focus on cultural, social, and LGBTQIA+ issues, to encourage productive discourse between competitors, judges, and spectators. Run by the UTS LSS’ Queer Representative in collaboration with the LGBTQIA+ representatives of other Sydneybased universities, this moot serves as a great way to develop fundamental advocacy skills while supporting a significant cause.

In 2024, the UTS LSS team consisting of Melissa Dib, Zachary Boswell and Aryenish Kavanara emerged as champions of the Intervarsity Diversity and Pride Moot! They had the honour of presenting their Grand Final submissions in front of an incredibly esteemed bench: The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, Stephen Sharpe, and Rhea Thrift.

Dates for this year’s iteration of the competition are yet to be determined – please keep an eye out on the UTS LSS Facebook Page if you are interested in participating.

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TIME COMMITMENT

ALFRED DEAKIN

INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION MOOT ELIGIBILITY

All UTS LSS members interested in mooting, particularly on an international level, are encouraged to apply. Please note that being a prestigious international moot, this moot tends to attract a pool of highly competitive applicants.

As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots will be preferred.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Be able to demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots to give your application a competitive edge.

Hosted by Deakin Law School, the Alfred Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot is an exciting opportunity for law students both from Australia and overseas to sharpen practical legal skills and dive into the field of international commercial law and arbitration. Previously, the Moot has seen teams participating across Asia, Australia, Africa, and South America! As a competitor, you will not only strengthen your advocacy skills and legal knowledge, but also engage with and gain valuable insights from experienced legal professionals.

In 2023, 44 teams across 12 countries took part in the competition, continuing the Alfred Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot’s legacy as one of Australia’s largest international mooting competitions.

The competition is hosted virtually via Zoom in September over four days. Each team competes in two preliminary rounds across the first two days (once as claimant and once as respondent). The elimination rounds, quarterfinals and semifinals occur on days three and four.

If you are interested in representing UTS at this prestigious international moot, please keep an eye out for registrations in June 2025!

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BAKER MCKENZIE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to compete in this specific moot, applicants must be female or non-binary identifying. UTS LSS members who align with this eligibility with an interest in mooting and oral advocacy are encouraged to apply. Please note that this is a prestigious and anticipated competition which tends to attract a pool of highly competitive applicants.

As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots will be preferred in the selection process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Have a keen interest in refining your legal advocacy skills.

Be able to demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity mooting or advocacy competitions.

If you are a female or non-binary-identifying student and an aspiring barrister, the Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot is for you!

The Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot is a dynamic and empowering competition that has been breaking traditional gender and equity barriers since its introduction in 2011. Created and hosted annually by Sydney University Law Society (SULS) and the NSW Young Lawyers Special Committee of Law Students’ Societies, this unique moot provides a platform exclusively for female-identifying or non-binary-identifying law students to practice and refine their legal advocacy skills. In doing so, the National Women’s Moot continues to offer an accessible and supportive space for future female- and nonbinary-identifying legal practitioners and barristers.

The Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot invites participation from all Australian universities and is typically hosted in-person in September. The 2024 problem question was centred on an area of Corporations Law. The dates for this year’s iteration of the competition are yet to be determined. Please keep a look out for further information on the UTS LSS Facebook Page if you are interested in participating.

TRINITY STOCKWELL

WINNER OF THE BAKER MCKENZIE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MOOT 2024

I started competing in my second year at UTS. Prior to commencing university I was already an avid debater and public speaking so mooting felt like a natural progression for me personally. A now dear friend of mine, Madeline Gelagin, suggested we do the UTS LSS Junior Moot and Junior Criminal Law Moot during our second year at university. Whilst I would not necessarily suggest anyone do two moots for their first time competing, let alone at the same time, it ended up being a rewarding and memorable experience. Madeline and I went on to do several internal moots together experiencing success and more importantly, abundant growth as oral advocates.

In late 2024, we participated in the Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot hosted by SULS. We were one of the only teams to undertake the competition without an assisting solicitor or university appointed coach. On top of this, we had to tackle a complex Corporations Law problem question which was particularly challenging. Fortunately, we were crowned Champions of the Baker McKenzie National Women’s Moot at the Supreme Court of NSW in front of a highly esteemed bench of judges. It was an absolute honour to participate in this moot and it felt particularly rewarding given it felt like a culmination of our hard work across several years of mooting at UTS. I have loved mooting at UTS for the skills it has given me and friends I have made along the way, in particular my mooting partner Madeline who has become one of my closest friends and colleagues. My mooting experience has been pivotal as it has inspired me to pursue a career at the bar so this is your sign to give mooting a try! You truly do not know where this wonderful activity will take you, the incredible legal progressional you’ll encounter along the way or the lifelong friends you will make in doing it.

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UNSW PRIVATE LAW MOOT

TIME COMMITMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS ELIGIBILITY

All UTS LSS members with an interest in private law and legal advocacy are encouraged to apply. Please note that as this is a highly anticipated moot, it tends to attract a pool of competitive applicants. As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal/intervarsity moots will be preferred in the selection process.

The UNSW Private Law Moot is a renowned multilateral moot that attracts seasoned mooters from both Australian and international universities to test their knowledge in private and commercial law. Hosted annually by the University of New South Wales, this unique competition prompts competitors to grapple with topics including but not limited to equity and trusts, corporation law and contracts.

The UTS LSS selects a team of up to four (4) experienced mooters to compete in the UNSW Private Law Moot each year. Competitors will present their oral submissions across two preliminary rounds, before progression to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the grand final.

In 2025, the UNSW Private Law Moot will take place inperson from Friday the 23rd of May 2025 to Tuesday the 27th of May 2025. Please keep an eye out on our socials for registrations details.

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Have ideally completed all or a mix of the subjects 70211 Contracts, 70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law, 70517 Equity and Trusts, 70317 Real Property, and/or 70417 Corporate Law. This is not a requirement however coming in with a knowledge about these areas of the law will leave applicants well-equipped in terms of approaching the Problem Question.

Be able to demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity moots.

TIME COMMITMENT

INTERVARSITY ESL MOOT ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must speak English as their second language to be eligible to compete.

The Intervarsity ESL (English as a Second Language) Moot is an intervarsity mooting competition designed exclusively for competitors who speak English as a second language. This competition is aimed at providing ESL students with an opportunity to participate in a moot on an intervarsity level, kick-starting their intervarsity mooting journeys.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to challenge their oral advocacy, legal research and submission drafting skills on an intervarsity stage against other skilled law students from universities across the state. With structured rounds and a coach to guide students to achieve their full potential, the ESL Moot is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for ESL students to immerse themselves in a challenging and educational mooting experience.

In the past, the Intervarsity ESL Moot has been held in conjunction with the Macquarie University Law Society, the Sydney University Law Society, and the University of New South Wales Law Society. The UTS LSS is entitled to send one team comprising a maximum of three competitors to this competition.

Being an intervarsity moot, applicants must undergo an application process. Applicants may apply as individuals, in a team of two, or in a team of three. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate previous internal mooting experience and success.

In 2024, the competition was held over the weekend of 26–27 October. The dates for this year’s iteration of the competition are yet to be determined. Please keep a look out for further information on the UTS LSS Facebook Page if you are interested in this competition.

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TIME COMMITMENT

UNSW INTERVARSITY BEGINNERS TOURNAMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ELIGIBILITY

To compete, you must be a first- or second-year law student.

Compete in our internal Junior Witness Examination and/or Client Interview Competitions. Please note that although this is not a requirement to compete, if there are multiple applications, preference will be given to those with internal UTS LSS competitions experience.

The UNSW Beginners Tournament is an intervarsity event for Client Interviewing and Witness Examination competitors.

It is the first competition of its kind at an intervarsity level, specifically designed for first and second-year law students.

This competition aims to foster younger students’ involvement in intervarsity competitions and enhance their skills through exposure to different methodologies and judges. It is an excellent starting point for those looking to gain experience in intervarsity competitions and compete alongside peers from neighbouring universities in a challenging but supportive environment.

The intervarsity event includes two skills competitions: Client Interview: Teams of two act engage in a simulated interview with their 1. client where they must gather facts and provide preliminary legal advice based on the provided scenario.

Witness Examination: Individual competitors are tasked with the role 2. of counsel, alongside a volunteer witness, where their ability to extract information and present a case effectively will be tested.

All first and second-year law students are highly encouraged to get involved, as the competition provides an ideal platform for those who are keen to continue their competition journey at an intervarsity level. Whilst no prior experience is required, preference will be given to competitors who have competed at a Junior internal level.

Participating in the UNSW Intervarsity Beginners Tournament will not only enhance your practical knowledge and advocacy skills but will also stand out on your resume as a demonstration of your commitment to developing your professional skills early in your law studies.

The UNSW Intervarsity Beginners Tournament is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 17–18 May 2025. Students should be aware of the registration deadlines and any preparatory sessions leading up to the event which will be posted in due course on the LSS Facebook in the Spring Semester.

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TIME COMMITMENT

UNSW INTERVARSITY SKILLS COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

All UTS LSS members with an interest in Client Interview, Negotiation, and/or Witness Examination are encouraged to apply. Being a highly anticipated intervarsity event, this competition tends to attract a pool of competitive applicants. As such, please note that applicants who can demonstrate prior success in the relevant internal and/or intervarsity competitions will be preferred in the selection process.

Be able to demonstrate prior success on an internal and/or intervarsity level in the relevant competition that you are applying for, whether that be Client Interview, Negotiation, or Witness Examination.

If you have not competed before, give our 2025 Open Competitions a go to prepare yourself to compete on this intervarsity stage & bolster your application.

The UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition offers Newcastle- and Sydney-based university student representatives the opportunity to compete in a range of different skills-based legal competitions. Talented law students are selected to represent their respective universities as individuals and in teams in Witness Examination, Client Interview, and Negotiation.

Hosted across one weekend, the UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition presents students with an excellent opportunity to build on their strong internal performances in skills competitions whilst networking with and competing against likeminded students. As part of the competition, participants are provided with detailed feedback and professional advice from judges who have previously competed at an intervarsity level. he UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition will take place in the Spring Semester on 13 - 14 September 2025.

Please look out for the registration and application details which will be released on the UTS LSS' social media platforms in due course.

ZACHARY BOSWELL

WINNER OF THE UNSW INTERVARSITY SKILLS (NEGOTIATION) COMPETITION 2024

In 2024 I was fortunate to represent UTS in Negotiation as part of the UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition with my teammate, Rosalia. With this being my first intervarsity competition, it was a daunting challenge, however, it was an immensely rewarding experience as we were fortunate to come away with the win!

With a new negotiation format, being client and counsel, as opposed to the dual counsel format we were used to, this competition challenged us to adapt and develop a new approach under time pressure, with some questions being released a mere hour before we were scheduled to compete. Nevertheless, we found the new format to be highly informative, as it was more realistic and quickly proved beneficial to my professional work.

This competition really tested our teamwork and creative thinking skills, simultaneously boosting our confidence and ability to manage conflicts. I highly encourage all students passionate about competing in Negotiation to apply for this opportunity - you won’t regret the experience!

NOAH DARMENIA AND JACKSON RADNEDGE

WINNERS OF THE UNSW INTERVARSITY SKILLS (CLIENT INTERVIEW) COMPETITION 2024

We each started competing to gain practical experience in a competitive legal context, picking the skills competition most applicable to our future careers as solicitors. Having worked together at the same firm for some time, we thought our chemistry and self-described “gold retriever and black cat” dynamic would allow us to have fun and hopefully score well.

And that we did – having performed favourably in the recent internal Client Interview competition, competing against some of the top interviewers in the state while being judged by real practitioners. We have since judged and written problem questions for future teams to grapple with.

We highly encourage students to participate in this competition. Our best tip to competitors is to focus on building a tangible timeline of the client’s experience.

Don’t make any assumptions, and ensure you understand their entire story before providing advice.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions – we couldn’t speak about the competition more favourably!

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TIME COMMITMENT

SULS MULTILATERAL

CLIENT INTERVIEWING COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

All UTS LSS members with an interest in Client Interview are encouraged to apply. Please note that where there are multiple applicants, those who can demonstrate previous success in internal and intervarsity Client Interview experience will be preferred in the selection process.

Be able to demonstrate previous experience and success in internal and/or intervarsity Client Interview Competitions.

Apply as a team of two with someone who you have competed with before to demonstrate teamwork skills.

Hosted by the Sydney University Law Society (SULS), the Client Interviewing Multilateral Competition is an intervarsity competition designed to expand the cross-institutional opportunities for skilled client interview competitors. The Competition runs in an intensive structure over one weekend, where law students from across Australia are invited to put their client management and professional skills to the test.

The UTS LSS may select and send up to two teams of two members (a total of four competitors) each year, depending on the calibre of applicants. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated success in internal Client Interview competitions.

Specific dates for this competition are yet to be determined. Please keep up to date with the UTS LSS Facebook Page if you are interested in participating.

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TIME COMMITMENT

MARGARET CUNNEEN SC WITNESS EXAMINATION COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

All UTS LSS members with an interest in Witness Examination and legal advocacy are encouraged to apply.

Given the competitive nature of the competition, please note that applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity Witness Examination Competitions will be preferred in the selection process.

Have completed the subject 70109 Evidence, as this will greatly assist with understanding and making objections.

Give our 2025 Open Witness Examination Competition a go to prepare yourself to compete at this intervarsity level and to bolster your application.

Give the 2025 UNSW IV Competition a go to get a taste of competing in Witness Examination on an intervarsity level and to further improve your application.

The Margaret Cunneen SC Witness Examination Competition is a prestigious annual opportunity for one UTS Law student to compete against a fellow Macquarie University Law student in a challenging and complex round of Witness Examination, showcasing their skills on an intervarsity stage.

The bilateral competition focuses on developing competitors’ logical questioning, legal analysis, and critical thinking and is ideal for students who are interested in pursuing a career in litigation and improving their courtroom etiquette.

The competition is not only an opportunity to test advocacy skills, but a chance to network with legal professionals, including barristers who serve as judges and offer invaluable practical feedback. This is a rare opportunity to test your witness examination skills before Margaret Cunneen SC herself and other esteemed judges.

The UTS LSS will select one UTS representative to compete individually at the Margaret Cunneen SC Witness Examination Competition. Applications are open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, students with internal and intervarsity Witness Examination experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

This year, the Competition will be hosted by the UTS LSS. It is tentatively scheduled to take place at 6:30pm on Thursday 16 October 2025.

SOPHIE HAMBLING

UTS LSS MARGARET CUNNEEN SC WITNESS EXAMINATION COMPETITOR 2024; WINNER OF THE UTS LSS OPENS WITNESS EXAMINATION COMPETITION 2024 AND THE UNSW INTERVARSITY WITNESS EXAMINATION COMPETITION 2024

When I first signed up for Witness Examination (‘WitEx’), I had no idea what I was getting into. A friend had recommended it after enjoying their experience, so I decided to give it a go and joined the UTS Open WitEx Competition.

My first round was tough. Neither my witness nor I had done anything like this before, and we spent much of the round glancing at the judge, hoping we weren’t completely off track. After the round, I made sure to collect as much feedback as possible, both from the judge and my competitors. This became one of the most valuable habits I developed; seeking feedback, taking notes, and asking questions.

With each round, I worked hard to improve, motivated by my friends who kindly supported me as witnesses each week. Their encouragement kept me going, and eventually, I won the UTS Open Competition and was selected to represent UTS at the UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition, where I was fortunate enough to remain undefeated.

The highlight of my journey was competing in the Margaret Cunneen SC WitEx competition, judged by Margaret Cunneen SC herself. If you’d told me during that first round that I would reach that stage within a year, I wouldn’t have believed it!

Competing in WitEx has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my university life. It improved my communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, and it taught me that we’re often capable of much more than we think. To anyone considering it, I can’t recommend it enough.

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HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

TIME COMMITMENT

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY DELHI INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION COMPETITION RECOMMENDATIONS ELIGIBILITY

All UTS LSS members who can demonstrate success in internal and intervarsity Negotiation Competitions are strongly encouraged to apply!

It is recommended that participants have achieved success in the UTS LSS Intervarsity Negotiation Competition and/or the Intervarsity UNSW Negotiation Competition to enhance the competitive edge of their applications.

Have a keen interest and refined prowess in negotiation skills in a legal context.

Apply as a team of two with someone who you have competed together with before to demonstrate teamwork skills.

The International Negotiation Competition is an invitation-only competition hosted by Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and the National Law University in Delhi (NLU). Successful candidates will be flown out to Delhi with the costs for the flights and accommodation being covered by the UTS LSS. “According to Herbert Smith Freehills, “the competition aims at providing an opportunity to law students of top universities across the globe to practice and improve their negotiation skills. It provides a platform for students to compete in a truly diverse and international environment. The competition is carefully structured to simulate legal negotiations, making it particularly useful for those students who aspire to be international lawyers. Students participating in the competition will assume the roles of international lawyers in negotiating a series of legal problems.”

- Herbert Smith Freehills, 2024

RELEVANT DATES

The competition usually takes place at the National Law University in Delhi in September each year.

WHO CAN APPLY?

A team of two UTS law students are selected to represent the UTS LSS at the International Negotiation Competition.

Applications are open to all law students, however successful applicants will have extensive negotiation experience on both an Open and Intervarsity level and have demonstrated success in said competitions.

LUCIE VAYRIOT AND RIANNE HAMAD

RUNNERS-UP OF THE HSF NLU DELHI INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION COMPETITION 2024, WINNERS OF THE UTS LSS MADDOCKS INTERVARSITY NEGOTIATION COMPETITION 2024

The UTS LSS currently offers one opportunity for experienced negotiators, usually in their fourth or fifth year of study, to represent UTS (and Australia) internationally at the Herbert Smith Freehills National Law University Delhi International Negotiations Competition (the INC). This is an invite-only competition between 30 teams from the top universities of India, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and Australia. We were pleased to progress to the grand finals in 2024 and come in a close second to Cambridge University. The INC has garnered widespread acclaim for its highly technical fact scenarios which are drafted by Herbert Smith Freehill’s top international commercial lawyers. The negotiations simulate cross-border mergers and acquisitions, requiring a general understanding of various areas of commercial law, including competition and regulatory, employment, intellectual property, tax, and corporate governance. This subject matter demanded far more preparation than any other competition we had come across. It was an extremely enriching experience both intellectually—in terms of the content, and culturally—in terms of learning to identify and bridge socio-cultural gaps with fellow competitors.

The Delhi competition is client-lawyer focused. Given the factual background is international commercial law, one team member would embody the role of CEO of a multinational corporation, whilst the other would operate as the in-house legal counsel. This is a brilliant exercise in refining your attentiveness to client interests and diversifying your communication approach.

Our competition experiences have complemented our studies brilliantly, affording us practical opportunities to build legal and professional skills outside the classroom. The places we have travelled to, and the people we have met equally stand out as a highlight of our time at university.

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TIME COMMITMENT

AUSTRALIAN LAW STUDENTS’

ASSOCIATION ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE ELIGIBILITY

All UTS LSS members with an interest in Client Interview, Negotiation, Witness Examination, and Mooting are encouraged to apply. Please note that this is a very popular and anticipated event that tends to attract a pool of highly competitive applicants.

As such, applicants who can demonstrate prior success in internal and/or intervarsity events will be preferred in the selection process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Give our 2025 Open Skills Competitions and Moots in Semester 1 a go to get a feel of how the competition works, refine your skills, and to bolster your application.

The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) Annual National Conference is a week-long conference which unites hundreds of law students from Australia, New Zealand and Asia through legal workshops and forums, social events, and competitions. As part of the annual conference, ALSA facilitates national competitions where the best law student advocates from across the country come together to compete in a variety of legal skills and mooting competitions. Following their successes, the winners of each competition are usually invited to represent Australia at an international level.

Each year, the UTS LSS selects individuals and teams who have demonstrated great success, both internally and at an intervarsity level, to compete in Client Interview, Negotiation, Witness Examination and the Championship Moot. In doing so, the UTS LSS covers the ALSA competition registrations fees as well as the delegates’ cost of travel and accommodation.

Each year, the ALSA Annual National Conference is hosted by a different Australian university in an Australian city. In 2025, the National Conference will be held in Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) in July on 28 July 2025 – 3 August 2025.

KEEN TO APPLY?

This is an incredibly prestigious opportunity for experienced competitors to test their skills on a national scale. As such, competitors are determined through a thorough application and selection process. Keep an eye on our UTS LSS Facebook page prior to July for when applications open!

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SAI MUTHUKUMAR

UTS LSS ALSA CHAMPIONSHIP MOOT QUARTER-FINALIST 2024, WINNER OF THE KWM BILATERAL CONTRACT LAW MOOT 2024, AND WINNER AND BEST ORALIST OF THE UTS LSS OPEN CRIMINAL LAW MOOT 2024

I began mooting in 2021, participating in both Junior Moots organised by UTS LSS. Prior to competing in the ALSA Championship Moot 2024, I had competed in 7 Senior Moots, including 2 Intervarsity Moots and 1 Faculty Moot. The experiences provided a sound foundation for me to build on at nationals. As the Junior Counsel during the preliminary and elimination rounds, I received a combined score of 349/400 for my oral advocacy across the competition. Reaching the quarterfinals and achieving a high advocacy score from District Court Judges and experienced lawyers was a personal highlight. Beyond the Moot, travelling to Hobart with my colleagues, interacting with seasoned competitors and reputed professionals from across Australia and New Zealand, and engaging in social activities made ALSA 2024 truly memorable.

Reasons for law students to engage in mooting during university Conducting legal research on unfamiliar points of law, advocating for clients’ rights in Courts, and drafting submissions are daily practices for lawyers and legal professionals. Mooting allows students to learn high order research and communication skills in a practical setting. Further, feedback from experienced competitors, lawyers, barristers, and judges provides students with insight into refining their arguments, responses to questions, oral delivery, and written submissions. Mooting is a perfect opportunity for students to build networks, develop legal expertise, and nurture a readiness to take on an ever changing legal profession.

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Speak slowly – Rushing through submissions and questions makes the judge disinterested or confused as to the key arguments being put forward.

Conduct Extensive Research – Use a variety of legal databases to source relevant legislation, case law, and scholarship to present a comprehensive and well-structured argument.

Read The Bench – If a judge is interested in a particular submission, go into detail. Conversely, where the judge is not persuaded by the argument presented, be willing to concede the point if it is not detrimental to your main position.

Willingness to Adapt – Be prepared for difficult questions, managing your time, moving between submissions and questions, and any other unforeseeable circumstances during a round.

Practice – Mooting is a skill to be learned and mastered through consistent practice and participation in competitions. Discover your preferred style of research and advocacy through experience, and enjoy the process.

CHANDRA RENOUF AND EMMA GASTON

WINNERS OF THE 2023 ALSA NEGOTIATION COMPETITION

Our introduction to the world of negotiation began with the UTS LSS Junior Negotiation Competition in 2021. We entered the competition driven by a desire to hone our legal skills in oration and mediation, whilst also being eager for social interaction during COVID lockdown. Despite the entirely online format, we reached the grand final and came runners-up. Following this, we entered into the UTS LSS Opens Negotiation competition which challenged us with more complex facts and skilled competitors. We were fortunate to compete in our first in-person grand final and won the competition.

Our most memorable negotiation experience was undoubtedly the Australian Law Students’ Association National Negotiation Competition. Representing UTS against law students from across Australia and New Zealand, we encountered an unprecedented level of complexity. This competition was unlike any negotiating setting we had faced before, with a week of multi-negotiation days and limited time to digest facts. We were faced with varying unique negotiation and reflection styles, and had to learn to adapt to methods of mediation we had not encountered before. We were well and truly challenged, yet humbled to make the grand final in front of an esteemed panel of legal professionals, and emerged as the Australian champions. This later led to an invitation to compete internationally.

Throughout our negotiation journey, we have learned that effective teamwork is paramount. True teamwork transcends simple equal speaking time; it involves discovering what our individual strengths are and leveraging them to create a synergistic team. We also discovered that negotiation, unlike other competitions, requires you to problem-solve with the opposition. To truly ‘win’ is to create the best outcome for both teams and the best outcomes are always those that are creative and outside of the box.

Negotiation is an invaluable skill for any law student. Our growth from each individual negotiation has been exponential, equipping us with exceptional communication and problem-solving abilities that we both now utilise as legal professionals. With the competition requiring no prior legal knowledge, every student should give it a go!

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