USQ Secondary Schools Moot Competition

Winning Team

Full year scholarship for study in the USQ Bachelor of Laws, awarded to each barrister and instructing solicitor of the winning team. Based on tuition fees in 2020 this prize is valued at around $14,500. The scholarship can only be taken at USQ. Normal academic entry requirements still apply.

All members of the winning team will share the Turner Freeman Lawyers Prize for the Winning Team, cash prize valued at $1,500.

The perpetual trophy will be awarded to the winning team.

Runners-up

Half year scholarship for study in the USQ Bachelor of Laws, awarded to each barrister and instructing solicitor of the runner up team. Based on tuition fees in 2020 this prize is valued at around $7,250. The scholarship can only be taken at USQ. Normal academic entry requirements still apply.

Best Advocate

The finalist who is regarded by the panel as the single best advocate will receive the Shine Lawyers Advocate Prize, worth $2,000 in cash.

Participants

All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. For those who participated in teams that reached the quarter or semi-finals, the certificate will indicate achievement in those later rounds.

A moot is a simulated appeal on an arguable point of law. It is an ancient practice of education in the common law tradition.

A typical moot involves the selection of a judicial decision or hypothetical problem that raises legal points arguable on both sides – ‘moot points’. It differs from trial advocacy as it is limited to legal argument only. Accordingly, it is purely appellate advocacy.

There are no witnesses. There is no tendering of evidence.

Important documents

The Competition Outline (available soon) explains the organisation, structure (including an indication of the timetable) and prizes for the competition.

Please ensure you have read and understood the Competition Rules (available soon).

Coaching

Teams are encouraged to practise mooting before the competition begins, and to secure professional instruction in advocacy, protocol and legal argument.

If possible, teams are asked to secure coaching for any alumni or parents who are legally qualified. 

USQ has a number of legal academics and practising lawyers who have volunteered to assist with coaching throughout the competition. Schools interested in securing coaches provided by USQ can indicate their interest when registering online. 

Teachers can indicate the need for USQ to source a coach when registering teams online.

A coach may also serve as a moot judge in the competition; however a coach will not be permitted to judge any moot that includes a team from the school they have assisted. 

Cost

There is no cost for competing or registering.

Materials

Once registrations are finalised all competing teams will receive the moot problem. You will also be given online access to a set of written materials outlining:

• competition rules
• communications
• competition timetables
• contact details
• coaching
• mooting and courtroom protocol.

For the competition to proceed, at least 16 moot teams must enter the preliminary round.