Bond University’s Faculty of Law mooting team has confirmed their position as National Champions, triumphing over the University of Queensland in a rematch of the national final at the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington D.C.
The team of five students went on to progress to the final stages of what is the world’s largest moot court competition, earning Bond University Law a place in the top 16 international law schools and leaving over 100 competitors from around the world in their wake.
After five months’ of intense preparation, late nights, tens of thousands of words and many hours of mooting, the students’ journey came to climatic end during a dramatic moot with Columbia University from the USA, who went on to finish in the top eight.
"Were we disappointed? Yes. Devastated? No. Quite simply, we did everything within our capacity to perform to the highest standard possible in a moot that really could have gone either way", team member Edward Brockhoff said.
"We would like to thank our many supporters and sponsors, especially the Gold Coast’s Bell Legal Group, Dr John Kearney QC and Mrs Alison Kearney as well as the many, many Bond staff and Alumni who donated their time and intellect to help us in our preparation,’ Mr Brockhoff said.
Dean of Bond University’s Faculty of Law Professor Duncan Bentley expressed his delight with the team success.
"The Jessup Law Moot Competition is the world’s most renowned mooting competition - for the team to achieve what they have under enormous amount of pressure is a true reflection of their commitment to academia.
"We are very proud of their achievements," Professor Bentley said.
Academic Advisor to the team, Assistant Professor Maureen Grant-Thomson, said the students were "exceptional in their intellectual prowess, their erudite presentation and their diplomatic style".
"Each member of the Bond team has been a great ambassador for Bond University through their performance and their sportsmanship," Ms Grant-Thomson said.
The Bond team consisted of students Rachel Mansted, Matthew Hooper, Edward Brockhoff, Mathew Cantatore, and Julien du Vergier and was coached by Mr Nitay-Yair Levi.
With the hard work over, the team is now looking forward to enjoying the social side of the competition’s calendar, with plans to attend a National Dress Ball and the National Gala Ball in Washington before heading off to New York, Boston, Montreal and Toronto for some sight-seeing.
"It's time for us to unwind and explore the best that the social side of Jessup and North East USA has to offer," Mr Brockhoff said.