Mooting Competition of Australia's First Peoples

08/07/2022

2022 Mooting Competition of Australia's First Peoples

After popular demand, the Mooting Competition of Australia’s First Peoples (MCAFP) is back. This competition showcases the advocacy skills of Indigenous law students from across NSW and ACT-based universities. It is a welcoming mooting competition run by Indigenous Law students, for Indigenous Law students and is the perfect way to enter the world of mooting, even if you are fairly new to your Law degree. In 2022, the intervarsity moot is coordinated by UTS, in collaboration with UNSW and Ngalaya and Grand Finals will be held at top-tier law firm Gilbert + Tobin. Winners of the Grand Final receive cash prizes and a trophy to name a few. Indigenous Law students from across NSW and ACT have the opportunity to take part in this Mooting Competition over spring, kicking off with a 30th July Introductory Workshop. Prior to this workshop, students can attend a 14th July Zoom Information Session or email us to obtain the recording which covers the dates of the competition and general outline.
To find out further details including to apply, email [email protected].

08/10/2019

The 2019 Grand Final was won by Petra Franks of UNSW.

Mr Dean Kelly, a Yuin and Wailwan man raised in La Perouse, opened proceedings with a stirring account of the importance of Aboriginal law and environmental and cultural protection.

The mooting topic concerned an application to the High Court by the Gomeroi People, who challenged the constitutional validity of hypothetical Commonwealth legislation to affect the outcome of a decision under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. The clear links of the topic with cultural and environmental protection, as well as the distribution of political power in this country, prompted reflection in the participants and the audience on Mr Kelly's words.

Petra's submissions helped win the day for the Gomeroi People, as Justice Natalie Adams ruled the Commonwealth's legislation invalid for its contradiction of the 'No directions' rule and inconsistency with the federal race power.

Peter Rumble of Western Sydney University, appearing for the Commonwealth, was a close runner-up, while Ashlee Christian (UNSW) and Jessie Robinson (WSU) rounded out the top four. Jessie also took home the 'Rising Advocate' award in recognition of the outstanding quality of work she provided, despite only being a first-year law student!

At the conclusion of the moot, Ms Teela Reid, Wiradjuri woman and UNSW Law alumna (JD '16) reminded the audience of the importance of the Uluru Statement and its call for constitutional change, once more provoking deeper considerations of the themes touched on in the moot itself.

The night concluded with some remarks of Adams J on the importance of mooting and competitions such as this.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and supported us throughout the competition, particularly the judges and barristers who were so generous with their support and our sponsor, Gilbert + Tobin. We hope to see you all again next year!

03/10/2019

What a great night! Thank you to everyone who came and congratulations to our winners, Petra Franks, Peter Rumble, Ashlee Christian and Jessie Robinson! Full details and photos from the competition to follow in a few days :)

11/09/2019

Get your tickets for the 2019 Final now!

This year's final is from 6 to 9 PM, Thursday 3 October, at the offices of Gilbert + Tobin in Barangaroo, Sydney. Join us for thought-provoking debates and a chance to see some of NSW's future Indigenous barristers in action!

Tickets are free and food and drink are provided.

Indigenous students litigate a question of constitutional law, inviting reflection on Australia's constitution and proposals for reform

09/09/2019

Registrations have been coming in over the last week and preparations for this year's competition are progressing nicely!

If you're still on the fence as to whether to join, have a read of Teela Reid's thoughts below. Teela is a UNSW alumna and founded the competition in 2014

“My vision for the First Nations Mooting competition was to provide a cultural safe space for future lawyers to harness their court advocacy skills and engage with complex legal issues that are relevant to our communities and lives. It is a rigorous, yet supportive process that I hope plays a small role in cultivating more Indigenous solicitors, barristers and judges.”

Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MWSDZ3B

05/09/2019

Registrations for the First Nations Moot

We're only two more sign-ups away from being able to confirm the moot will go ahead this year!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MWSDZ3B

Here's what Tamara Kenny had to say about her experience with the First Nations Moot.

"It was one of the most daunting yet worthwhile activities I participated in during law school. It gave me the opportunity to meet and forge close friendships with Indigenous law students from other universities. I met my (unofficial) mentor/friend from the Bar Association who not only provided me with guidance during the Moot, but through the rest of my law degree and continuing into my career. Participating in the UNSW First Nations Moot led me to participate in the International Criminal Court Mooting Competition. It opened opportunities I never considered or thought that I could do, and gave me confidence in my advocacy skills. It was a safe environment to grow and learn and I felt strongly supported by my peers. Even though we were competing against each other we also helped each other through the experience and provided support to one another to ensure we all made it to the end which is what I think makes the moot great."

04/09/2019

Registrations for the 2019 Moot are now open! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MWSDZ3B

Here's what Tyrone Kelly had to say about his experience with the moot

"The First nations moot was an excellent opportunity to refine my advocacy skills and gave me more confidence to voice my opinions about legal issues. Everybody was really supportive which made the moot a safe learning environment where it was okay to learn and grow from mistakes. The feedback you receive from the judges is a valuable insight into what makes an exceptional advocate. I recommend doing the moot no matter where your level of advocacy skills are at. Everybody has something to gain from this experience"

More details in the flyer

16/07/2018

Less than 1 week left to register!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2K8L9NV

06/07/2018

Registrations are now open for the 2018 Mooting Competition of Australia's First Peoples.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2K8L9NV

06/08/2017

Congratulations to Noah Bedford for winning the fourth annual Mooting Competition of Australia's First Peoples! Noah and our other First Nations law students spoke very powerfully on Friday night. ✊🏾