If you are a winners of a competition held by the UniSA Law School, you may go on to compete at the international finals. These are held by ALSA (Australian Law Students’ Association). The national competitions that are facilitated by ALSA include: - Mooting - International Humanitarian Law Moot - Witness Examination - Negotiation - Client Interview - Paper Presentation As UniSA has a smaller cohort, we only send students for the competitions that we hold. Students who wish to go further can also apply to go to the National Intervarsity Competitions. Although you don’t need to win a prior competition, approval is needed by the law school. Competitions inlcude: - Australia & New Zealand Air Law Moot - AAT Moot - Nowicki Carbone Personal Injury Moot - Sir Harry Gibbs Federal Consitutional Law Moot - AAL: Annual Essay - Go to Court Lawyers’ Legal Writing Challenge More informaiton can be found at www.alsa.asn.au Further Resources: Competitions Director: Cath Mwikya Competitions Offcier: Nava Avazpour Email: competitions@usalsa.org Office Room of USALSA (LB2-14)
Competitions Guide
Created by Publications Director, Shannon Guerin (2017)
What are some competition rules? The competitions are open to all students with the exception of the First Year Moot which is restricted to first year law students. In the First Year Moot, participants are divided into pairs when competing, however, they are judged as individuals. Despite individual assessment, as part of the criteria for competitions like Client Interview your ability to work with a partner will be part of the assessment. Several criteria are judged during a competition. Whilst it is important that students have knowledge of the topic or area of law and the relevant case law behind it, you will be assessed on a range of things. These include oral skills such as tone, speed and posture as well as the participant’s ability to answer and deal with questions by the judge(s). What experience do I need? No previous experience is required to be a competitor as training sessions are held for the benefit of students to help them prepare for the competition(s) of their choice. These training sessions are held at the law school prior to the competitions which are typically held in weeks 5 through 7 of trimester 1. When will these competitions be held? The open competitions run between weeks 5-7 of trimester `, with the first year moot being held in trimester 3. Training sessions are held at law school for all competitions. Why participate? The competitions are benefital as they allow participants to gain experience, network and can be very useful for future law school courses. Participation in competitions is also something future employers may look for on your resume. What is the dress code? The dress code for the competitions is business attire. It is important to dress professional for these competitions.
Client Interview
Witness Examination Witness examination opens students up to the real process and components that make up a trial. These include, an opening statement, examination of the witness and a closing address. The trial process can feature either a civil or criminal scenario. This competition is overseen by one barrister and allows the participant to showcase their advocacy skills, evident by the inclusion of examination-in-chief and cross-examination as part of the competition. It provides the participant with a practical setting for students to apply their theory knowledge and learn to work under time constraints. Time Commitment: Top Tip: In preparation for this competition it would be advised that students become familiar with the components of the trial process. Moreover, it is important that participants use the preparation time wisely and plan out the types of questions that they could possibly ask the witness.
The interview process allows students to take up the role of a solicitor. A successful interview necessitates that students display an understanding of the administrative formalities of client interviewing. The client interview structure is based on students not only identifying legal issues, but providing preliminary advice to a client and discussing possible future action. The problem question centres on enhancing participants team work, problem solving and capacity to handle client expectations. Time Commitment: Top Tip: The problem question often has more than one legal issue to explore, so students are encouraged to continue asking questions to undercover the others.
Negotiation
The Negotiation competition requires teams of two solicitors to meet and discuss resolutions to the dispute. Both teams are given a set of facts. Furthermore, students are equipped with an outline of the client’s instructions and expectations. The paramounts duty for both teams is to negotiate the best possible outcome. The occurs through an analysis of the strengths and weaknessees of their client’s and the opposition’s case. Time Commitment: Top Tip: The most important thing to have during a negotiation is your walk-awa offer. Furthermore, it is vital to understand that if the dispute cannot be resolved, you do not have to settle.
Moot The Open Moot and First Year Moot competitions are simulated appellate court hearingd which test student’s oral and written advoacy skills. The oral sklls are strengthened through answering questions from a legal professional. The participants written abilities are built up through the writing of submissions to adhere to court formalities. Students represent a fictional party in a public or civil law matter. Students are assessed on their understanding of the entrenched legal issues, their ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a case, develop a legal argument and present it. Overall, this competition play a vital rose in providing students the opportunity to practical develop legal skills that will help them in their future endeavours. Time Commitment: Top Tip: It is essential that you address the judges as, ‘Your honour/s’. In addition, participants are advised to reframe from states such as, ‘I think’, or ‘I believe’.