LAW UNTO THEMSELVES
Gold Coast students featured strongly among teenagers aspiring to be Australia’s next top lawyers at the Bond University High School Mooting Competition Grand Final
THE NEXT generation of lawyers showcased their best arguments at the Bond University High School Mooting Competition Grand Final at the weekend.
Fourteen teams of Year 11 and 12 students from across Australia presented their oral advocacy skills at the two-day event.
Students were challenged to think on their feet as they conveyed their arguments to the judges, who included the Honourable Justice Robert Gotterson AO from the Queensland Supreme Court and retired District Court of Queensland Judge John Newton. Sydney’s Scots College won the competition.
Bond University Faculty of Law Director of Mooting, Assistant Professor Louise Parsons said the competition provided a real-world experience for students.
“It is always fantastic to see how enthusiastic these students are, and the high quality of arguments they put forward every year is an absolute delight,” Assistant Prof Parsons said.
“It is such an important initiative to provide students across the country with the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a lawyer with realworld practice.”
Last month, teams were flown to Bond University for the first round of the competition.
Amongst the top 14 teams were Somerset College students Kydra Walden (acting junior council), 16, Kirsty Brodbeck (solicitor), 17, and Alexandra Gerrard (senior council), 17.
“Law has always been in the back of my mind and I think the mooting competition being held in a practical environment has really enchanced that inspiration,” Kirsty Brodbeck said. “I strongly recommend to any student interested in a career in law to take this opportunity because you never know what will come from it.”
Assistant Prof Parsons said the benefits the students gained went far beyond the courtroom.
“The development of resilience is just one of the best qualities they can take away from this experience.”
Just take the opportunity, Kydra said. “The whole experience in itself regardless of what career someone decides to go down is second-to-none.
“I’ve come out of this competition more confident, and equipped with skills that with further benefit me in my last six months of high schooling.”