The Open Competitions

 

 

These competitions are held in the first trimester. In 2015, for the first time, there will be four competitions. These are the Open Moot, Negotiation, Witness-Examination and Client Interview competitions. The winners of each of these competitions will go on to represent UniSA at the Australian Law Students Association Conference. This conference is held each year in a different city at the beginning of July. This year it was held in Sydney.

 

Lipman Karas Open Moot:

The Open Moot competition is a mock appeal to a superior court. The two parties will make submissions for either side to the appeal, and a judge will determine the outcome based on legal argument, and manner of presenting the submissions. This competition allows students to work on their advocacy skills.

 

This year, the USALSA Open Moot was sponsored by Lipman Karas.

 

Open Moot judges for 2015: Sam Gomersall of Lipman Karas, Justice Michael David, Andy Carpenter.

Open Moot winners 2015: Hugh Bampton and James Black

 

Cowell Clarke Negotiation:

Two teams, each made up of two solicitors, meet to discuss a dispute between their clients. Each team is provided with a set of facts. They are then given instructions from their client detailing exactly what outcome they are seeking – and what should be avoided at all costs. This competition focuses on student’s negotiation skills.

 

This year, the USALSA Negotiation Competition was sponsored by Cowell Clarke.

 

Negotiation judges for 2015:

Negotiation winners 2015: Eugene Lagana and Peta Spyrou

 

Witness-Examination:

The Witness-Examination competition is held within a simulated civil or criminal trial and is comprised of one barrister and one non-competitive witness for each side. The trial includes opening statements, the examination of witnesses and closing addresses. This competition fosters the skills required in a trial, including examination-in-chief and cross-examination of witnesses.

 

Witness-Examination judge for 2015: Tim Preston of the South Australian DPP

Witness-Examination winner 2015: Laura Crase

 

 

Client Interview

The Client Interview competition, held for the first time in 2015, is comprised of teams of two. These teams have a set amount of time to ascertain the information necessary to allow them to represent their client. Competitors must cover all the formalities of an interview, take note of the personal details of the client and the intricacies of the problem and suggest possible courses of action. This competition allows students to practice their client interview skills.

 

Client Interview judges for 2015: Rachel Spencer and Matthew Atkinson

Client Interview winners 2015: Charmaine Leptija and Franciska Sita

 

 

Each of the above competitions has a training session before the competition to help students prepare.