Mooting

Mooting is a simulated court proceeding where student teams are presented with a legal problem which they are required to argue before a ‘judge.’

St Catherine’s recently competed in the Bond University, Virtual High School Mooting Competition. While our team did not go through to the semi-finals, Year 12 student, Haneen Ashmeel (as Junior Counsel) was one of 24 students, out of a total 96, awarded an Honourable Mention for Advocacy. These students impressed the judges with their abilities as oralists, demonstrating a deep understanding of the law and facts and their ability to articulate legal arguments and respond to judges’ questions.  

This is Haneen’s first time in a Moot, and we congratulate her on her efforts. Other members of the Team were Year 11 student, Ava Colosimo (Senior Counsel) and Year 12 student, Eloise Rudge (Solicitor). Ava recently came Runner Up in the State Heats for our region in the VCAA: Plain English Speaking Award for our region  

The team was coached by Old Girl, Miss Sophie Hogan (’20). Sophie first experienced Mooting during her time at St Catherine’s and is now Mooting at university. Sophie, along with Old Girl, Miss Jennifer Madgwick (’20), made it to the Quarter Finals for the First-year Moot in 2021 and the Semi-Finals in the Monash Law Students’ Society General Moot this year! In this competition, they were in the Junior Division which is a mix of second- and third-year students, with over 50 teams registered. An outstanding achievement and so wonderful to see the girls continuing with their Mooting post School. 

The Bond University Mooting Competition is a national competition involving 30 schools. The last St Catherine’s student to be named Best Oralist in this competition was Sophie Sitch in 2016.  

Launching their new Moot Court, Deakin University also conducts the Deakin Law Debate in the Term 2 holidays. St Catherine’s Debaters and Mooting students are welcome to register their interest in participating by June 10. 

What is Mooting? 

Mooting is a simulated court proceeding where student teams are presented with a legal problem which they are required to argue before a ‘judge’ or panel of ‘judges.’ 

Through their preparation and presentation of each case, students must show an understanding of the relevant law and how it should be applied in their client’s case. (How it should be applied is the key phrase here because, as most new law students quickly discover, there are usually two sides to any legal argument!) 

Ms Mary-Anne Keratiosis

Head of English and Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

https://bond.edu.au/current-students/opportunities/mooting-bond/what-mooting

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