JD/PD Impact Mentoring Program

JD/PG IMPACT MENTORING PROGRAM

What is the program?

The JD/PG Impact Mentoring Program is a peer mentoring program offered by the UNSW Law Society that assists new JD/PG students with successfully transitioning into law school. First year students are paired with senior mentors who are trained to help navigate the demands of law student life in a friendly group setting. The program aims to support students holistically by emphasising the importance of building a healthy social network, and provides valuable opportunities to create strong social bonds through participation in weekly group meetings. How can it best assist Law students? (particularly first years) Mentoring sessions aim to: ● Foster a support network for new students; ● Provide a platform to acquire resources and develop study skills; ● Create a safe space for students to discuss any difficulties they are encountering, and if necessary, connect them to appropriate people and/or organisations; ● Educate about mental health issues and the importance of maintaining positive mental health and lifestyle; ● Foster cross-cultural engagement and inclusiveness; and ● Provide valuable tips and tricks on succeeding in law school!

How to get involved?

The program will be run during Terms 1 and 3 for a total of 5 sessions, offered both online and in-person. We plan to offer students two intakes per term to allow a greater number of students to participate in the program. Students can apply to participate in either Intake 1 which runs from Weeks 1-5, or Intake 2 which runs from Weeks 3-8 (excluding reading week). And any other relevant information/testimony “I benefited a lot from participating in the mentoring program last year as it provided me with a strong sense of community and gave me a safe space to express myself and make new friends!” “The mentoring sessions were a valuable means of support to me during the initial weeks of starting law school. Talking to my mentor about the stress and worries of 2020 helped me refocus and gave me the helping hand I needed to enjoy my law school journey.”

If you wish to sign up or have any questions, please email Adriana and Rachel at jdpg.mentoring@unswlawsoc.org.

LAW REVUE

More than just a revue – more than a theatrical comedy show that satirises topical issues through acting, singing and dance – Law Revue is a complete experience, one that’s been an integral part of the UNSW Law student community since 1976. Feel the fizzling adrenaline rush of being on stage as part of Cast or Band, or sneak around a meticulously crafted set or manoeuvre dazzling lights as a Tech ninja. Sharpen your culinary skills in Wellbeing, create beautiful promotional material in Design/Publications, or post dank memes as part of the Marketing team. Whatever it is that you’re interested in, there’s a place for you in Law Revue. But don’t be fooled by its name! Being a part of Law Revue isn’t just for law students, or even students. Law Revue prides itself on being inclusive, so much so that you don’t need to have any experience in the portfolio you’re interested in, only genuine enthusiasm. With such a view towards diversity, you’ll find yourself forming lasting friendships with like-minded people across year groups and degrees that you would otherwise never have met. What truly sets Law Revue apart, though, isn’t just the professional development that it offers, or the chance to be genuinely creative at university. If you’ve got the inclination to test the limits of your comfort zone, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you can find, and be amazed with the person you’ll grow into.

Law Revue Executives 2021

Directors Sarah Green, Kevin Wang, Lachlan Smith Producers Emma Fu, Alicia Suwahjo, Nicholas Tse

Self-growth, a family, and unforgettable memories. These were only a few of the things Law Revue gave me. As a first-year in a sea of uncertainty, it wasn’t until I found Law Revue and its diverse, open, and welcoming community, that I felt like I belonged. A place where my quirkiness was welcomed, where I could meet free-spirited friends, and be comfortable being 100% myself. What I valued the most, however, was that I didn’t need to be talented to join. Law Revue was an encouraging and supportive environment for taking risks, growing one’s confidence, and providing an outlet for one’s creative abilities. I really believe Revue is an integral part of the university experience and, having been part of the Revue family for 3 years, the experiences I’ve had have made a massive impact on who I am today. Take a leap of faith, join Law Revue, and see where it takes you.

Rabiba Pervez | 4th Year Commerce/Law

I had no idea what a ‘revue’ even was when I signed on as a cast member for Law Revue over Facebook. It was just after the peak of quarantine, and I had registered for the sole reason it was an in-person event. Being alone at home isn’t easy when you love to be around people, and I signed on thinking that if Revue could give me just that, it would be enough for me. But what I got was more than I could ever conceive. The people you will meet are special; you’d have to be to spend 20 hours a week on any one thing. They will encourage you to go beyond your comfort zone and try new things you never knew about. They will be close friends, with shared interests that you could even form whole squads over. They will be trusted mentors, who can open you to new possibilities and show you your own potential back to you. Sometimes all at the same time. In short: it is a family. I encourage you to take this plunge off the deep end. This coming from someone who never performed in their life, and never believed they ever would. It can be gruelling at times, this every revuer understands, but you’ll never be alone in it. And if you remember only one thing, let it be that Law Revue is worth every second.

LAWSOC AND SPORTS

UNSW Law Society Sports give students access to a broad range of sporting events, allowing students to develop their personal fitness and improve their wellbeing. From social to competitive events, LawSoc Sports strongly welcomes all students, regardless of their skill level, to participate in the sporting events on offer. By participating in sporting events, students will get the opportunity to meet others with similar interests, while being in a fun and non-academic environment. Moreover, the consistent events that LawSoc Sport offers each week can help students strike a healthy uni-life balance. Each trimester, students can participate in Arc’s social sports, which include touch, netball, volleyball, soccer and Oztag. There will be a weekly walk/run club which will be followed by a coffee “warm-down”, a beach day in Term 1, beach hikes and a Wellbeing Walk across the Eastern beaches in Term 2. Furthermore, LawSoc Sports will also be entering teams into intervarsity events, Blackmores and the Colour Run. Every event is focused on being fun, social and open to all students regardless of their fitness level/ year group. Dominique Abrahamse and Hayden Gu (Sports Directors)

Attending various law balls throughout the years has definitely been a highlight of law school for me. UNSW law balls are usually held at the end of the academic year and are a night of dressing up, eating great food and dancing the night away with your peers. It is a great opportunity to celebrate the year with your friends, meet new people and make memories that last a lifetime! The ball is usually held at the end of the academic year and is a night of dressing up, eating great food and dancing the night away listening to our very own law band and tracks from the best DJs. It is a great opportunity to celebrate the year with your friends, meet new students at various stages of their law degree and make memories that last a lifetime! However, be warned tickets to the ball are notorious for selling out quickly! So, keep an eye out for tickets to be released in the middle of the year for a late September ball. With that being said, I have attended various law balls throughout the years and it has been a highlight of law school for me. I have made the most incredible memories with my friend and I am so excited to attend my last handful of law balls! I would highly recommend any new student to attend law ball and experience the best social event of the year!

LAW BALL

Bianca Tolic, (4th Year Commerce/Law)

LAW BAND

The Law Society band is a band made up entirely of UNSW law students. The Band performs at the Society’s large social events such as Law Ball, as well as at a showcase of their own; Lawlapalooza!

For more information, feel free to contact music@unswlawsoc.org

The UNSW Law Band is a particularly unique initiative that was commenced by the UNSW Law Society many over five years ago. Since then, the Law Band has established its very own annual music talent-show/showcase, Lawlapalooza. The Law Band also plays at various Society events throughout the year, namely the annual Law Ball, The Law Band allows for the band members to pursue their passions and dreams alternative to the law, and more broadly encourages law students to do the same. As one who has both played in, and led, the law band, I strongly recommend trying out for the band this year if you are so musicallyinclined. Trust me, you won't regret it! Madison Wu (5th Year, Music/Law)

WELLBEING

The transition to studying Law at UNSW presents a range of new and exciting possibilities and challenges. It is essential that students are provided with ample support to adapt to and thrive during their new educational journey. In 2021, the Wellbeing Portfolio is determined to ensure that both physical and mental wellbeing remains a core focus of life at UNSW Law. Many initiatives will be run throughout the year, such as weekly Wellbeing Wednesday posts, Wellness Weeks in each trimester, an annual Mental Health Day. If you would like to hear more about the Wellbeing portfolio, resources for students, or would just like to reach out, please contact us at wellbeing.director@unswlawsoc.org.au

If you are passionate about promoting wellbeing and eager to make a difference within our university community, we strongly encourage you to apply to become a Wellbeing Warrior. This is a unique opportunity to join LawSoc’s only subcommittee, play an active role in Wellbeing initiatives, and make long-lasting friendships. Applications open soon, so keep an eye out on the LawSoc Facebook page for an official announcement.

However, the wellbeing of students doesn’t just begin and end with our portfolio. There are a range of services available to students who are in need of support. Most notably, Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides valuable on-campus assistance to all students by offering free and confidential counselling services with experienced psychologists. Equitable Learning Services and Special Considerations both provide assistance in ensuring that your personal circumstances do not adversely impact your studies and assessments. Other external bodies such as headspace, Beyond Blue, Lifeline and medical professionals (including your GP), also offer crucial support in enhancing mental health.

Kate Morel and Hayden Clift, Wellbeing Directors

UNSW Law Journal

The University of New South Wales Law Journal (‘UNSW Law Journal’) is one of Australia’s leading academic legal journals, and one of the few to be produced entirely by a voluntary student board. It is the flagship publication of the UNSW Law School and one of the most widely cited legal reviews in Australia. The Journal publishes four issues annually. There are two General Issues and two part-Thematic Issues, with the latter focusing and bringing together a range of perspectives on selected legal topics. Each Issue of the Journal is launched with a formal evening held at the offices of one of our premier sponsors, including leading law firms Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills and King & Wood Mallesons. Launch events are widely attended and feature invited speakers who are national or international leaders in the legal profession. Previous speakers include the Hon Robert French AC, former Justice of the High Court, the Hon David Hammerschlag, Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the Hon Michelle Gordon AC, Justice of the High Court and the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG. The Editorial Board is the body of students responsible for the production of the UNSW Law Journal.

The responsibilities of General Members of the Editorial Board include: • Editing papers from leading legal academics, practitioners and judicial officers that are selected for publication in the Journal; and • Attending meetings of the Editorial Board, Journal Issue launches, dinners and other social events.

After serving as a General Member of the Board, students also have the opportunity to stand for election to the Executive Committee and assume editorial responsibility for the publication of the Journal. Course credit is awarded for these positions.

Recruitment to the Editorial Board is conducted each year. In 2021, applications will open in Term One. While a strong interest in editing academic articles is essential, prior editing experience is not. For more information, please visit: http://www.unswlawjournal.unsw.edu.au/recruitment-tothe-editorial-board/

Tina Wu Executive Editor of the UNSW Law Journal Final year Media (Communication & Journalism)/Law

UNSW Law comprises the Law School and a range of research, education and advocacy centres. UNSW Law is governed by the Faculty Board which is composed of fulltime academic staff, casual teaching staff as well as various nominees and student representatives. The Faculty Board is also governed by a number of subcommittees such as the International Committee and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which report to the board on a range of matters. Student representatives in the law school are the key point of communication between the academic, administrative and student sectors of the law school. They have a say on the nature of governance of the faculty, acting as advocates and voicing the concerns of the student body to the committee. Students may contact their representatives collectively at law-studentreps@lists.unsw.edu.au. If your concerns relate to an issue for which there is a specific faculty committee you might want to indicate this in the subject line of your email. The student representatives for 2020/2021 are:

Isaac Dela Torre (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Alexander Humphreys (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Tony Wu (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Laura Boshier Eggins (Juris Doctor Student Representative)

Abida Aura (Juris Doctor Student Representative)

Angela Kintominas (Phd and Research Student Representative)

Voting is held in Trimester 1 for the 2021/2022 board.

Iwas lucky enough to begin my exchange in Term 1 2020 at the University of Manchester. I had an incredible few months of learning (both academically and culturally), travelling, and living independently before COVID-19 sent me home! Planning for exchange took plenty of time, energy and coordination with the UNSW Exchange Office, but the short experience I was able to have was well worth it. It’s definitely worth spending the time to research the exchange destinations available to UNSW Law students, including the university itself, subjects on offer, lifestyle in that location and opportunities for travel. UNSW Law students can apply for exchange at highly esteemed universities across Asia, the Americas, Europe and the United Kingdom. Some of my exchange highlights include the weekend trips I was able to take across the UK (Edinburgh being my favourite by far) and forming friendships with students from across the world. I was lucky enough to go to the Manchester Derby, and for someone who isn’t a football fan, I didn’t realise how much of a big deal it was! Unfortunately, my time overseas was cut short, but I got to complete my semester abroad on ‘Zoom University’ from my quarantine bedroom!

Anastasia Hatziarantinos (4th year, International Studies/Law)

There is no doubt that mooting has completely transformed my university experience. Mooting is an exciting extracurricular activity where participants argue their side of a fictitious legal dispute in front of judges in a simulated court hearing, allowing the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge from the classroom, such as legal research and drafting arguments, into practical scenarios. Yet my experiences in mooting competitions have also showed me the value of mooting is much more - what is missed is its construction of resilience, teamwork, strategic decision-making and attention to detail. I have seen those, including myself, who are absolutely transformed for the better by their experiences in mooting; who are at first petrified at the thought of presenting oral arguments but come alive in the heat of the moot and thrive under the adversarial fire of the court. It is definitely an experience that no law student should miss!

Chelsea Manansala Mooting is a ‘mock trial’-like extracurricular competition where you play the role of a barrister presenting their case before a panel of judges in simulated appellate court proceedings. You will be given a fictional legal scenario about which you will have to research the relevant case law, analyse the legal issues, draft written submissions and present oral argument. So why moot? Well, I could ramble all day about how you’ll meet many like-minded passionate mooters, improve your legal research and oral advocacy, and how you can compete against other universities in intervarsity competitions but honestly, it’s just really fun. Your first moot will seem like a ridiculous amount of work for an extracurricular competition but the second you get up to start speaking, you’ll feel an insane rush of adrenaline that’ll make it all worth it. So if you like having fun, make sure to sign up to Beginners Mooting starting in Week 3 and if you’re even more keen, come watch one of the demonstration moots during O-Week. Nicholas Tse (3rd year, Arts/Law) 47

NEGOTIATIONS

What is negotiations and how is it different to the other skills comps? A round consists of two teams each with two people, negotiating over a contentious fact scenario. This could be a anything from a neighbourly dispute to a commercial crisis. With greater practice and skill you can learn to develop creative solutions and negotiating tactics to progress further than other teams. Taking part in negotiations has been without a doubt one of my best decisions in University. I’ve had the opportunity to develop many friendships with competitors and phenomenal teamwork skills with my partner, Zac Morris. It’s also a great experience to test your skills against other universities’ in inter-varsity competitions, and to see how our strategy compares. Philip Kyriacou (3rd Year, Commerce/Law)

MEDIATION

Being involved in the Beginners Mediation competition in 2021 was an invaluable experience, both in terms of the skills gained and friendships made. By the end of the competition, I was able to confidently ascertain key legal issues, common and/or conflicting interests and divide client/lawyer responsibilities, and had further refined my oral and written communication, conflict resolution, and professionalism. Most importantly, working alongside a mediator impressed upon me, as a negotiator, the need to be intentional in progressing through separate concerns while seeking to adapt to unexpected confidentials and reach creative solutions. I would strongly encourage all law students, especially first years, to involve themselves in the competition, for both the academic and social benefits.

Ella Davidson (2nd Year, PPE Law)

CLIENT INTERVIEWING

Client Interviewing is a competition that caters to all law students, irrespective of their confidence levels and experience. Students are given the opportunity to act as legal representation in a pair for a fictitious client. Ambiguous, and often humorous ‘memos’ are issued to students 48 hours before their interview, where they have 30 minutes to explore and understand social, economic and legal issues at hand. Client Interviewing is a popular competition as minimal preparation is required to succeed; less deliberation over one-sentence ‘memos’ has oftentimes been for the better… As one of the three alternative dispute resolution competitions open to students, Client Interviewing focuses on the practical application of skills developed in Law School. Whilst the application of basic legal principles can go a long way, students are encouraged to demonstrate empathy, tolerance and patience when liaising with their client. Students will learn to tailor lines of questioning that are efficient, considerate and logical. Finally, the competition is a great way to develop close friendships, regardless of whether you sign up with a friend, or with the aim of meeting a partner for the first time.

Jessica Cassimaty, (Economics/Law 2nd year)

WITNESS EXAMINATION

WHAT IT INVOLVES

Witness Examination is a skills competition that draws upon your inner Atticus Finch to use witness testimony to prove your case. Unlike Mooting, Witness Examination relies less upon legislation and case law, and more upon the skill of questioning the witnesses.

THE PROCESS

Each team consists of two barristers and one witness (who does not have to be a law student). Junior Counsel for each the Appellant and Defendant delivers an Opening Statement before the Appellant delivers their affidavit, and is subsequently cross examined by the opposition. The process then repeats for the Defendant, before Senior Counsels deliver the Closing Statements.

THE PROCESS

Witness Examination will help to improve your attention to detail and ability to consider different perspectives (which is a useful approach to problem questions). The mock court environment will authenticate your role as counsel for your client. You will think effectively on your feet to defend your argument when met with a challenging set of facts and a potentially unruly witness.

TIPS

1. Do not hesitate to make an objection during Examination in Chief.

You are given the affidavit of the opposition’s witness. Before the trial is in session, go through and annotate where you would object and how you would justify the objection, so that you are prepared when the witness recites their statement. The aim of making an objection is not only to earn points for your team, but to strike out comments or facts that harm your case - so, do not be afraid to object. 2. Feel free to amend your own witness’ affidavit.

Unlike Mock Trial in high school, it is not a requirement for witnesses to regurgitate their affidavit word-forword. As the barrister, you may edit the statement to draw attention away from facts that harm your case and towards those that give your witness credibility; as long as you do not alter material facts. 3. Examination in Chief should flow like a conversation.

Although Examination in Chief is much shorter than Cross Examination, it is an important display of skill. Show the judge that you are guiding the witness to explain their version of events by asking simple and precise questions. If the comments in the affidavit no longer give a direct answer to the question you have asked, you should ask a new question.

This ensures the witness statement appears accurate and authentic. 4. Prepare a clear line of questioning for

Cross Examination.

It is important to anticipate the answer to each question before you ask it. This is best achieved when your questions are simple and prompt a yes/no response. Ensure you have mapped out different lines of questioning dependent on the witness’ potential answers. Planning will help you to think on your feet should