From 7-11 February, the University of Adelaide Jessup Moot team competed against 15 other teams in the Australian National Round of the competition, held at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Awards ceremony at the High Court

This year’s team comprised Mitchell Brunker, Danielle Gilby, Azaara Perakath and Christian Andreotti, with Soraya Pradhan assisting with researching and drafting. The team was coached by Mark Giddings and Shauna Roeger. Associate Professor Matthew Stubbs was the course coordinator.

The team performed to an exceptional standard in the competition and enjoyed success, winning the Runner-up Prize for Best Written Submissions (Respondent). The submissions represented the culmination of many months of intensive research and writing, dealing with complex issues in areas of international law including transboundary water law, cultural property and refugee law.

The team also enjoyed success for its oral advocacy with Azaara Perakath winning a prize for placing in the top 10 best speakers. The awards were announced and presented during a dinner at the High Court with guests including the Honourable Justice Stephen Gageler AC.

Preparing to make submissions in Canberra

The competition was a wonderful academic and practical experience for the team, which will prove invaluable as they pursue their futures in the legal profession.

The team and the Law School would like to sincerely thank the following sponsors: Lipman Karas, Cowell Clarke, Brown & Associates, EMA Legal, Laity Morrow, Campbell Law, Camatta

Lempens, Iles Selley, Bar Chambers, and Norman Waterhouse. The commitment of these sponsors to assisting in the development of the next generation of advocates is deserving of acknowledgement and commendation.

Comments from the team members
Christian Andreotti
“The Jessup Moot has without doubt been the most rewarding experience of my time at law school, from both an academic and practical perspective. It provided me with invaluable insight into the demands of real-world litigation, whilst developing skills such as strategy and Courtroom advocacy. I highly recommend it to all students.”

Danielle Gilby
“Competing in the Jessup Moot has been the most fulfilling advocacy experience of mine during my time at the law school. The ability to control, research and present my own submissions has helped me to improve my research and advocacy skills significantly.”

With the Honourable Justice Gageler at the High Court

Mitchell Brunker
“Jessup was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at Law School, both for the numerous skills I gained, and the friendships formed. Indeed, Jessup was simultaneously the hardest I’ve ever worked, and the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Azaara Perkath
“Competing in the Jessup International Law Moot was arguably one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences I have had at law school. After months spent deep within the bowels of the law library researching complex areas of international law and countless opportunities to moot in front of a wide range of judges, both my legal research and oral advocacy skills have come a long way!”