A Bond University mooting team competed in the coveted D.M. Harish Memorial Government Law College International Moot Court Competition in Mumbai, India, recently.
After many late nights and weeks of preparation, the team faced their competition head on, competing against Universities including New York University, Columbia University and University of Melbourne.
The team made it to the quarter finals, grateful for the multi-cultural experience of this competition, which enabled the students to fine-tune their advocacy skills alongside more than 16 international teams.
Bond University Assistant Professor and one of the team coaches, Jodie O’Leary said the competition and mooting process helps students develop exceptional legal and negotiating skills.
“This competition provides a unique opportunity for students to meet other law students from around the globe to practice their legal skills and be judged by leading jurists, including judges from India’s Supreme Court and Bombay’s High Court, as well as other barristers, solicitors and professors,” said Assistant Professor O’Leary.
“Mooting also teaches students the art of advocacy. They learn how to persuasively argue their position both orally in front of questioning judges and in writing through the submission of memorials. They also hone their research skills to the point that they become experts on a particular area of law,” she said.
Team member and second year law student Jacqueline Hagger found the case study to be an exciting challenge.
“In essence, the case study was about conflicting citizenship laws in two fictional countries and different domestic laws regarding a surrogacy contract. Legal proceedings around this matter were pursued and consequently the issue was taken to the International Court of Justice,” said Jacqueline.
“While it was quite complicated the challenge was very motivating for the team.”
Under the guidance of academic and student coaches, the team conquered the gruelling preparation process, which included submitting memorials and engaging in a large number of practice moots, all while being reviewed by various judges from the Faculty of Law.
The D.M. Harish mooting team comprised of Bachelor of Laws students Jacqueline Hagger and Katherine Richards. Assistant Professor Jodie O’Leary accompanied the students on their travels to India.