Hello,
You are here because you have expressed interest in ALSA Conference 2010 judging and question-writing.
Click here to download a copy of the introductory letter.
Below you will find an outline of the different competitions we require assistance with, and a questionnaire for you to please fill in and submit.
Kind regards,
Daniel and Samantha
Daniel
E: daniel@alsaconference.com.au
Samantha
E: sam@alsaconference.com.au
ALSA Moot
The most prestigious of the competitions run at ALSA, this competition involves the best mooters in the country working in teams of 2-3 to earn the acclaim of being the best national mooting team. Questions can be on any area of law, and traditionally involve two points of appeal, one for Senior Counsel, and one for Junior. Each competitor has 20 minutes speaking time, and no right of reply is given.
Question writing: each Round requires the writing of a Moot Scenario and a Bench Summary (outlining the most important points to be argued, along with the main cases on point) will be written and provided to each judge. Approximate time per Moot is two hours.
Witness Examination
Witness Examination allows competitors the chance to experience a simulated criminal or civil trial. Each competitor is provided with a witness statement, and volunteers play the witness on the stand. Competitors must give an opening statement, conduct examination-in-chief and cross-examination, and give a closing statement.
Question writing involves writing two witness statements and a Bench Summary (outlining the most important points to be argued, along with the main cases on point).
Approximate time per Witness Examination is one hour.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot
The IHL Moot is structured similarly to the ALSA Moot. Unlike the ALSA Moot, however, there is only one question used throughout the entire competition, centred on IHL law.
Judges will be provided with the Moot Scenario and a Bench Summary (outlining the most important points to be argued, along with the main cases on point).
Approximate time per IHL Moot is one hour.
Negotiation
Competitors, in teams of two, are provided with a general fact scenario, along with a set of confidential facts (simulating a briefing from their client). Competitors then meet with another team, which represents the opposing side. The two teams are given 50 minutes in which to negotiate the best possible outcome for their clients (and are allowed to take one five-minute break each in which to discuss their instructions). Competitors then undertake a period of self-evaluation.
Question writing involves creating a negotiation scenario, along with two sets of confidential facts. Judges will be provided with the scenario and confidential facts, along with a summary of possible outcomes. Judges are to note that the potential outcomes provided are not the only outcomes that may eventuate, and that competitors are not to be scored down if their solution is not on the provided list.
Approximate time per Negotiation is one hour and thirty minutes.
Client Interview
Competitors again work in teams of two, to interview a volunteer client. Competitors are only provided with a brief sentence or two (simulating a secretary’s memo) regarding what the interview will concern. Teams have thirty minutes in which to ascertain the purpose of the client’s visit, and provide advice on how to assist them.
Question writing will involve outlining the client’s purpose and some hidden information (which the client keeps to themselves unless specifically asked), along with a brief summary for the competitors. Competitors are marked on their ability to make the client feel at ease; to extract information; to provide advice; and to reflect on their interview
Approximate time per Client Interview is one hour.
Paper Presentation
This competition consists of two components and, unlike the other competitions, consists only of a Preliminary Round and a Semi Final.
Written Component: Competitors work individually to write a 4000-6000 word paper on any legal area of their choosing. This is submitted in triplicate, and one person marks all essays. Even if competitors are successful in advancing to the Grand Final, the essays are still only marked once.
Oral Component: Competitors are split into two groups and given 20 minutes in which to speak about their essay. They are able to use visual aids throughout their presentation. Following the presentation, the judge/s ask the competitors questions about their presentation and their paper. The top two competitors from each group advance through to the Grand Final, where the oral component is repeated again.
Approximate time is three hours for the oral component.
Kirby Cup
Predominantly run by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC), the ALSA Conference merely provides a forum for Kirby Cup Competitors to present a paper on an area of law reform (question to be determined by the ALRC). Competitors work in teams of two, and must present their written essay (of no more than 15 pages, 1.5 line spacing) to the ALRC in approximately May.
Oral Component: at ALSA each team will be given 20 minutes to make a presentation regarding their essay to a panel of three judges selected by the ALRC.