Mooting
What exactly is mooting?
If you’re wondering what it will be like to be a lawyer, then mooting is the answer. At UNSW Law School you will have the opportunity to participate in ‘moot court’, simulating real-life court proceedings where you will compose written submissions and participate in oral arguments.
A ‘moot court’ is different to a ‘mock trial’ which typically involves witness and perhaps a jury. Instead, you will encounter a case on appeal and argue your client’s position based on the facts presented in the competition case or problem.
Mooting at UNSW Law School
UNSW was the first university to offer an elective in international competitive mooting to its highest achieving law students. This proud history continues, as each year our best and brightest travel around Australia and the world to match wits with their international peers.
The prestigious International Moot Program LAWS3086 / JURD7486 will see those selected prepare and conduct a mock case before an international tribunal over the summer semester, with teams participating in the following competitions:
- Jessup International Law Moot Competition
- Vis International Commercial Arbitration Competition
- Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition
- Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competition
- ELSA Moot Court Competition (EMC2) on the Law of the World Trade Organisation
The UNSW Law Society also offers the chance to hone your mooting skills through internal mooting workshops and demonstrations, with competitions designed to cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to senior mooters. You will also have the chance to compete in intervarsity mooting tournaments to prepare you for the challenges at the international level.
Who is eligible?
All UNSW Law School students who are eligible to take electives in their law or JD degree can apply for the International Mooting Program, however due to its popularity, selection will be based on a number of factors including academic merit, demonstrated research and/or advocacy skills. Those in their final year of study will only be able to participate if they are prepared to defer a subject and thus their graduation.
Participating in an international moot team is a very rewarding experience, but is also very demanding. As a high level of commitment is needed from all students, you will be expected to adjust work, clerkship and extracurricular activities over the summer semester as the majority of the work for the competition will take place during this time.
If you are selected for one of the international moot teams, you will be precluded from taking part in any other mooting or advocacy competition over the same period.
There are no formal prerequisites for the International Moot Program however it is advisable that you have already completed, or are enrolled in:
- International Advocacy LAWS3188 / JURD7388
- Public International Law LAWS3381 / JURD7481
- For ELSA: International Trade Law LAWS3084 / JURD7484
- For VIS: International Commercial Arbitration LAWS8183 / JURDXXXX
- For Picet: International Humanitarian Law LAWS3181 / JURD7381
How do I apply?
To apply, download the form below and submit via email to lawmoots@gmail.com. Once your application has been received, you will be considered and shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in the first week of second semester.
Should you be successful, you will need to vary your enrolment immediately and potentially add one or more of the abovementioned courses before the census date for the term.
Further information
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