General Competitions Information 2023

Director's Foreword

Welcome to the Competition Handbook for 2023.

This year, the Competitions Portfolio is dedicated to creating stand-out competitions which give students the opportunity to develop their legal skills.

This year, we have a combined focus as a portfolio to increase the transparency of the marking process, create incredible competitions guides and increase the participation of students at all stages of their degree.

I cannot be prouder of the work achieved the Competitions team has achieved so far, and hope to see all of you involved in the coming year.

Good luck!!

Adam Marshall

Meet the Competitions Team!

You will see these friendly faces assisting in the organisation and running of our competitions for 2023!

Adam Marshall Director

Alex Poynton Officer

Katia Krivanek Officer

Kosta Kritikos Officer

Angus Richards Officer

Nathan Notley Officer/External Comps Lead

Trimester

How do Competitions Work?

Competitions are run over the course of 4 weeks.

Week 1: Competitors are provided the fact scenario

Week 2: Heats Begin

Week 3: Semi-Finals Begin

Week 4: Grand Final

All competitors have approximately one week with the fact scenario before competing in each round.

In the heats, all the teams that apply are filtered into time slots. Sometimes, this will be against another team, and others you will compete alone in front of a judge or bench.

Competitors are scored against a rubric which is marked by the supervising judge(s). The top four scoring teams out of all the heats progress to the semi-finals. This means in competitions where you 'win' against your direct component, you are not guaranteed a spot to the next round; it depends on your score against all other competitors.

Don't let this stop you from applying! All competitions provide valuable experiences and feedback, and some even help with assessments!

The Semi-Finals are conducted in the same manner as the heats, with the top two teams progressing to the Grand Final.

All dates are confirmed prior to the commencement of the competition. By competing, you agree to be available for the dates required.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How do I best present myself in a competition?

While it may be initially appealing to look to Hollywood to inspire your competition demeanor, success is generally found in leveraging your own unique style. There are, however, a number of elements which all competitors should consider, including:

Present all arguments with confidence; Respect all involved parties; and Replace “filler” words such as “um” with purposeful pauses.

Q. How do I cite case authority verbally?

Citation for your first case authority should be stated in its totality, as would be expected in a bibliography.

For example, the case 'R v Hutty [1953] VLR 338 may be orally cited as 'The Queen against Hutty, reported in the Victorian Legal Records in 1953, volume three-hundred and thirty-eight. Remember that in criminal cases, the 'v' should be read as 'against', and in civil cases it should be read as 'and'. Full citations may subsequently be excused upon approval by the judge.

'Your Honour, may I dispense with formal citations?'

If told to dispense with formal citations, you may refer to a case in its appropriate short title.

FAQS

Q: What can I bring to the competition?

The DLSS generally requests competitors avoid the use of electronics for competitions. Items that you may consider bringing to your competition include:

An outline or your argument and any required written submissions (including back-ups);

Writing implements, such as a such as pen and paper; Relevant research materials;

A valid form of identification (e.g. Deakin Student Card); and

Water and any appropriate snacks.

Q: What do I do if I do not understand a question?

The demanding and often stressful environment associated with law competitions is widely recognised. If the inevitable occurs, and you miss a question, remain calm and simply ask the inquisitor to repeat themselves.

Questions may be asked to clarify things such as case authority or points of law. They are not out to get you. Instead, they ensure all parties are in complete understanding of each other, and their own points.

Q: I do not have a partner, what can I do?

While organising your own partner may provide for a more comprehensive rehearsal experience, if you don’t have someone in mind, we will endeavour to provide you with a suitable partner. There is, however, no need to be concerned; some of the most rewarding aspects of participation in law competitions are the life-long professional relationships established.

We will make note in your sign-up form if you need to be paired up with a partner to compete with!

Q: How much preparation is needed?

While the amount of preparation required differs depending on the competition, the amount of work you put in is often the key determinant of your success. Effective preparation will assist in calming nerves and provide a strong overall first impression. Some general preparatory tasks may include:

Read and annotate instructions and fact scenarios; Conduct relevant legal research;

Familiarise yourself with similar competitions on YouTube; and

Ensure you have adequate rehearsal time.

FAQS

Q: How much of the law do I need to know?

The requisite legal knowledge will differ depending on the competition. Some competitions, such as the Client Interview, require minimal legal knowledge and instead draw on a competitor's soft-skills. On the other hand, competitions such as Moots and the Bail Application require relevant substantive legal knowledge. The Junior Moot, for example, is targeted towards students in the early stages of their studies and therefore covers only Contract Law. This is in contrast with the Senior Moot, which encompasses topics such as Constitutional Law, Corporate Law, and Torts. Refer to the relevant Competition Guide for further information.

Q: Who will be judging?

DLSS law competitions consist of several rounds, with successful competitors progressing from Heats, to Semi Finals, and ultimately, to the Grand Final. Generally, Heats and Semi Finals are judged by law faculty staff, while finals are typically judged by practicing lawyers.

FAQS

Q: What should I wear?

Corporate business attire is required for all DLSS competitions. The question that you may ask yourself is, ‘what would I wear if I was representing a client in court?’.

Still need help?

You can reach our team directly at director-competitions@deakinlss.org

EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS

EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS

What are external competitions?

External competitions are legal contests, often in the form of Moots, organised by select universities and other pertinent organisations extrinsic to DLSS. Such competitions may generally be categorised into levels, comprising: regional, international and “grand slam”. “Grand slam” describes moots distinctly marked by their scale, prestige and rich history. The combination of available external competitions provide participants with a diverse range of topics, such as: human rights, aviation, crime, commercial, intellectual property, and many more.

What are the benefits of competing externally?

There are numerous benefits to competing in external competitions that may assist in advancing your future career. As a participant, you will likely establish international connections & communication skills, gain exposure to alternative legal systems, and perhaps achieve a prestigious award for your efforts.

EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS

Upcoming opportunities in 2023

There is an array of external competitions available to high achieving DLSS competitors. Many of these competitions require significant lead time. There are, however, several excellent opportunities for students looking to compete externally in 2023. Some of these include:

ALSA/Red Cross IHL Moot (Sydney, Aus)

UNSW Private Law Moot (Sydney, Aus)

Foreign Direct Investment Int. Arbitration Moot (Lucknow, India)

Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot (Geneva, Switzerland)

Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot (Frankfurt, Germany)

How can I be involved and stay up to date with the latest news?

Please express your interest in our google form if you’d like to find out more about exciting external competitions on offer in 2023 and beyond.

https://forms.gle/GRF4sUgTwAqqEfAA8

Acknowledgements

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE EFFORTS OF THE COMPETITIONS PORTFOLIO FOR 2022 INCLUDING JULIA FITTIPALDI, KATERYNA KOROBEYKO, GAB STRIPP, ROCCI PITASI, NICK ALLEN AND MILLA GLEESON FOR THEIR FOUNDATIONAL WORK THAT WAS USED TO ASSIST IN THE CREATION OF THE COMPETITION GUIDES

Stay Up to Date

YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH OUR COMPETITIONS ON OUR SOCIALS (FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND DLSS WEBSITE).

ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS RIGHT HERE:

INTERNAL DLSS COMPETITIONS:

HTTPS://FORMS.GLE/RMQEE7VWFWZCSQZ69

EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS:

HTTPS://FORMS.GLE/GRF4SUGTWAQQEFAA8

Thank You!

WE WISH YOU LUCK ON YOUR COMPETITION ENDEAVOURS SHOULD YOU WISH TO COMPETE IN 2023.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO OUR TEAM IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS OR QUERIES AT DIRECTOR-COMPETITIONS@DEAKINLSS.ORG