QUT has opened a new Moot Court to continue its almost 50-year tradition of sharpening law students’ advocacy skills to produce world-class mooters with a proud record of success internationally and at home.
A replica of a real-world courtroom, the Moot Court is a purpose-built space where students can practise their legal advocacy skills to compete in moots, in Australia and internationally, and, ultimately in practice.
Generations of students have honed their legal abilities to the point where they have brought home wins around the world, including at the most prestigious moot of them all – the Oxford Moot – in 2007, 2009 and 2012.
QUT alumnus barrister Mitch Rawlings, who was part of the QUT team that defeated Oxford University at the 2012 Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot, fondly remembers the countless hours spent in the old moot court preparing for the various competitions.
“I often find myself reflecting on the Oxford Moot,” Mr Rawlings said.
“The day of the final remains vivid in my memory: a combination of adrenaline, excitement, and the satisfaction of seeing months of preparation culminate in an appearance before three British judges.
“We were no longer trying to perform a perfect version of advocacy—we were simply focused on engaging with the Bench and presenting our arguments as naturally and effectively as possible.
“We listened, responded, and allowed our own voices to come through in the courtroom.
“That lesson has stayed with me throughout my practice. Advocacy is not about adopting a particular persona or speaking in a way that feels artificial. The most effective submissions are those that are authentic, responsive, and allow the advocate’s own voice to be heard.
“The approach I developed through that moot continues to shape the way I appear in court today.
“Perhaps one of the greatest skills mooting develops is the willingness to seek critical feedback. Advocacy is not strengthened by having an argument go unchallenged; it improves when that argument is tested.”
Dean and Head of the School of Law, Professor Amanda Kennedy, said QUT’s proud tradition in mooting had been part of the fabric of QUT Law from the beginning.
“What we’ve just launched is the next chapter in that story - a space designed for how courts work now, built on foundations that go back fifty years,” she said.
“We asked our architects to prioritise flexibility in the design of our new facility so we would be able to run two simultaneous moot courts, also to reconfigure it into separate teaching spaces or open the whole space for teaching or competition moot finals.
“This will give more students more time in the room, whether it be for mooting, observing, or learning in ways that a single-purpose space simply couldn't accommodate."
For fifth year law student Lily Kunin, mooting has lifted her overall confidence and her research and communication skills.
“My favourite part of mooting is the ability to work with likeminded students. It’s a great way to make friends in law school, and I would encourage any student who has been considering mooting to dive in,” Ms Kunin said.
“Receiving encouraging feedback from the Honourable Chief Justice Bowskill (a QUT alumnus) after my team won the Grand Final of the Junior Moot will be a memory that sticks with me forever.”
Ms Kunin is excited to continue her mooting journey by competing for QUT in the Kirby Contract Law Moot in Melbourne this September.
Law student Millide Evans said advocacy could be daunting when entering a courtroom for the first time.
"Access to realistic Moot Courts gives students the opportunity to become familiar with that setting, practise how they present themselves and build confidence before they need to use those skills in real legal practice," Ms Evans said.
Associate Professor Lucy Cradduck from QUT’s School of Law, who has coached QUT teams for moot competitions around Australia as well as the prestigious Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot since 2014, said mooting developed law students’ real-world advocacy, high-level thinking, communication and teamwork.
"It is an invaluable experience for developing the inquiring mind they will need to succeed in legal practice,” Associate Professor Cradduck said.
“Mooting is more than public speaking; to be successful, mooters must work as a team to research and analyse complex problems, often ones they have never studied before. Mooting involves both oral advocacy and written advocacy.
For the Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot teams must submit two 3,000 word written arguments, which are then judged, to be chosen for an invitation to make oral submissions.”
“Oral advocacy involves appearing in front of (often real) judges who will interrupt to ask the speaker questions on points of law or about the facts of their case, which can be a gruelling experience for the unpractised mooter.”
QUT alumnus, barrister Caite Brewer, has judged QUT moots, and said it was incredibly rewarding to see the calibre of young advocates coming through the moot program.
“I am continually impressed by the professionalism, intellectual curiosity and commitment shown by today’s law students,” Ms Brewer said.
“The new QUT Moot Court is an exciting investment in the future of the legal profession which provides aspiring lawyers the opportunity to challenge themselves, build confidence and refine the skills they’ll carry into practice.”
Top image: The new look QUT Law School Moot Court. From left, Millide Evans, Kohen Hansen, Professor Amanda Kennedy, Head of School, Kohen Hansen, barrister Mitch Rawlings, Associate Professor James Duffy, Ivy Smith and Lily Kunin.
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