More info coming soon!

Want to be part of a team that will bring one of the Asia-Pacific’s largest and most prestigious student-run events to Perth? Look no further! Applications for Director positions on the Australian Law Students Association (ALSA) Conference 2013 Organising Committee are now OPEN! Read more…

The Open Mooting sign up session is on Tuesday 13 March.  A representatives from Mallesons will be present to give some tips on mooting and answer any questions you may have.

Any questions and concerns can be emailed to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Client Interview Round 1 is on the following evenings:

-  Wednesday 14/3

-  Thursday 15/3

-  Wednesday 21/3

-  Thursday 22/3

Feel free to come along and see how the competition works.  If you’d like to be a client, email Competitions VP Emily Zylstra at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

The sign up sheet for First Year Advocacy will be available above the water fountain in the law courtyard.  This competition is a great way to get exposure to the formal environment of a courtroom and to have your Denny Crane moment in cross examination.

Please note this competition requires sign ups in partners.

Trial Ad Round 1 is the following evenings:

-  Tuesday 6 March

-  Wednesday 7 March

-  Monday 12 March

-  Tuesday 13 March

Please feel free to come along and watch, or if you’d like to volunteer as an associate or witness, send an email to Emily Zylstra at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

The NSW Law Reform Commission invites:

• law students in their final year;
• law students entering their final year in 2013; and
• recent law graduates

to apply for legal internships during the winter university vacation, 2012.

Read more…

The Aurora Native Title Internship Program introduces law students and graduates to career opportunities in native title, policy development, social justice and Indigenous affairs. It aims to provide assistance to under-resourced and over-worked Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs) as well as to various other organisations working in these areas including Indigenous corporations, government bodies, community groups, not-for-profit, policy organisations and others.

There are two intakes for interns annually, during the summer and winter university breaks, for five to six weeks. Applications open in March and August of each year.

Applications are open to law students who have completed, or are currently completing, the Property Law component of their legal studies. Internships are offered Australia-wide and we seek applicants who have a keen interest in some or all of the above mentioned areas.

Longer paid placements

Applications are also open to law students and graduates as well as to qualified solicitors, usually following on from an internship. Placements can start at 2 months and may continue for up to 1 year. Duties, conditions and remuneration vary from position to position.

Applications

Applications for the winter 2012 round of internships will be accepted online via our website between 9am AEDT Monday 5th March through to 5pm AEDT Friday 30th March 2012.

More information

For more information and to apply please visit our website at: http://www.auroraproject.com.au/nativetitleinternshipprogram.

A full account of the research into NTRBs and recommendations that led to the establishment of the Program can be found at: www.auroraproject.com.au/sites/default/files/2005_april_report_exec_summary.pdf

iLaw Barristers & Solicitors is a progressive generalist law firm which is dynamic and fast growing. iLaw’s North Perth office are seeking applications from suitable applicants who wish to obtain a work experience placement commencing in March 2012. Read more…

Last year the Attorney General launched the AVERT Family Violence training for practitioners involved with the family court.  The training is being offered for the first time in Perth in 2012.  This opportunity is ideal for students with an interest in criminal and family law. A generous student discount is being offered. Read more…

The ALSA Conference is the highlight of the ALSA Calendar. Held from the 9^th – 16^th July, the Conference will be attended by more than 500 law students from Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia. Read more…

The four WA law schools have proposed standardised recruitment dates for law firms who are taking on vacation clerks and graduates in 2012. These dates have been compiled as a guidelines – for information specific to a firm, you should contact that firm directly. Read more…

This Wednesday, please join us at Blake Dawson’s offices to enjoy the paper presentations of 5 of the Law School’s brightest! Visit the Facebook event page for more details.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) is the native title representative body for the Traditional Owners of the Pilbara, Murchison, Gascoyne and Mid-West regions of Western Australia.

YMAC would like to make you aware of the vacation clerkship opportunities offered this year.

Read more…

On Friday 13 May, it’s a clash of the titans in the 2011 Blake Dawson Law Dinner Debate!

The Argyle Ballroom at the Parmelia Hilton will become a battlefield as a team of students tackle the giants of the legal profession on the topic “That the law is better on TV than in real life.”

Representing the profession will be the Hon. Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of Western Australia, Joseph McGrath, WA Director of Public Prosecutions, and Peter Ward, special counsel at Blake Dawson.

Fighting for the student view will be Andrew Gannon, Olivia Loxley and Ben Willesee.

Good food, good wine, good company and good laughs. The 2011 Blake Dawson Law Dinner Debate is a showdown not to be missed.

Tickets are $75 for members; $90 for non-members. The price includes a two course meal and a four-hour drinks package. Tickets are on sale outside the Blackstone Common Room from 12-2pm, Monday through Thursday.

Check out our ALSA 2011 Conference page for more details. Note that if you plan on attending as a general delegate, we need to register you by April 24th! If you have any questions, get in touch with Nik Barron, Education Vice President (email educationvp at blackstone.asn.au).

ALSA’s National Essay Competition is open till 1 April 2011. See the poster or the ALSA website for further details.

Meet other graduate/mature students, members of the law faculty and reps from leading commercial law firm Clayton Utz.

The guest speaker will be Equity Lecturer, Peter Creighton who will reflect on his recent work in Fiji and discuss where your law degree can take you.

Details: 7pm, Friday, 25 March @ the Byrneleigh, 156 Hampden Rd, Nedlands.
Tickets: $10 for Blackstone members or $15. Tickets are on sale now. Get yours from the Law Courtyard each day from 12pm-2pm.

See also: the event page on Facebook.

It’s time to get your game face on, because competition sign-ups begin in Week 1!

TUESDAY 1 MARCH

The Clayton Utz Trial Advocacy ‘How To’ Session is on Tuesday 1 March at 1pm in the Moot Court. Come down to hear Georgia Mortley, Senior Lawyer in Litigation at Clayton Utz, dish out advice on advocacy techniques, and James Marzec, half of last year’s winning team, give his insight on preparing for the competition. The sign-up sheet will go up straight afterwards and will fill up within the hour, so make sure you and your partner nab a spot!

WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH

The Freehills Client Interview ‘How To’ Session is on Wednesday 2 March at 1pm in the Moot Court. Raymond Chester-Wallis, half of last year’s winning team, will speak about his experience in the competition and offer tips and advice on effective interviewing techniques. Client Interview is one of the most popular competitions of the year, so make sure you come down to sign your team up!

This year, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in Blackstone sport, regardless of how good you are. Each Wednesday afternoon, Blackstone fields male, female and sometimes mixed teams in the University-wide interfaculty sports competition, which has a strong focus on participation, with a number of purely social divisions in most of the sports. We also have a number of ‘grudge matches’, and other sporting afternoons throughout the year. For more details, check out the Blackstone Sports page!

Blackstone’s Academic Mentoring Program is on again!

Students enrolled in Crim II, Contract II and Torts II are invited to come along to three sessions of Blackstone’s Academic Mentoring Program, to hear tips and advice from final year Honours Students.

Dates and details for Semester Two:

Monday 11 October (Week 11): 5-6pm
TOPIC: Preparing for Exams
- Crim II: Law Lecture Theatre
- Contract II and Torts II: Law LR 2

Monday 25 October (Week 13): 5-6pm
TOPIC: In the Exam Room
- Crim II: Law Lecture Theatre
- Contract II and Torts II: Law LR 2

Hope to see you there!

What: Blackstone v Notre Dame Law Students Society Footy Grudge Match
When: Friday 15 October, 2.00pm for a 2.30pm start
Where: Fremantle Oval

Blackstone needs boys who can play footy to help us reclaim the Footy Grudge Match trophy from our friends down in Fremantle.

Contact email hidden; JavaScript is required if you’re keen to play.

Spectators welcome. Free sausage sizzle and drinks for players and supporters!

What: Prez’s Keg
When: Friday 15 October, 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: Claremont Hotel
Cost: Free!

Come and celebrate the end of the 2010 Blackstone Year and find out who will comprise the 2011 Blackstone Committee.

Generous bar tab will be on.

NB: Venue has been changed from Captain Stirling to the Claremont Hotel.

What: Blackstone DLA Phillips Fox Sports Dinner
When: Wednesday 20 October, 7.00pm – late
Where: Hans Northbridge
Cost: $20 members/ $25 non-members

Join Blackstone for a night of cheap Asian food and even cheaper wine to celebrate the Society’s success in the 2010 Interfaculty Sports Competitions. Dress black tie. Arrive on time so as not to miss the Boozelow Medal count and the awarding of the Players Player Award.

Tickets on sale this week!

What: Blackstone Society Final Year Dinner
When: Thursday 21 October, 6.00pm – late
Where: UWA University Club
Cost: $80 members/ $85 non-members

What a night we have planned for you!

6.00pm: Your evening will begin at the natural stomping ground of the law student: the Law Courtyard. It is tradition to take a Leavers Photo… and where better to do so than the site of many a stolen kiss and drunken dancing? We’ll provide the bubbly.

7.00pm: You will make your way across to the UniClub for the main event. Join us in?the Banquet Hall for a sumptuous 3-course meal and 4 hours of wine/beer/soft drinks. Hey, we’ll be graduates soon, we may as well size upthis joint!

11.00pm: At the conclusion of the dinner, you are invited to join us at Bar 1907 for the official FYD after-party. Use your ticket for priority entry, $10 cocktails all night and access to our VIP area (and perhaps a bar tab…TBC).

Tickets on sale this week!

What: End of Year Courtyard Show
When: Friday 29 October, 7pm – midnight
Where: Law Courtyard
Cost: $10 members/ $15 non-members

Tickets on sale soon

Watch this space.

What: Women in the Law Mentor Scheme Breakfast
When: 7 am, 23 September 2010
Where: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Riverview Room
Cost: $25 member/$30 non-member

The First Year Mooting Competition involves a simulated hearing before an appellate court in which individual counsel argue particular points of law. The Competition is open only to students enrolled in Legal Process, Contract, Criminal Law or Torts. A simplified version of the Open Mooting Competition, the focus of the competition is the research and preparation of a List of Authorities and the presentation of oral argument. First Year Mooting is the only competition tailored specifically to first year students, and as such is an excellent introduction to Blackstone competitions as well as a chance to meet fellow students in the early stages of their legal studies. Experiencing the air of solidarity and mutual apprehension in the library in the days leading up to Round 1 is a must!

Given the significant degree of familiarity with the law required, mooters tend to devote themselves to preparation for the three days before the moot. The problems, set before the Full Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal Appeal, concern only topics studied in First Year and are designed to promote argument in areas of the law that are unsettled or subject to recent developments. The competition aims to provide students with an introduction to mooting, as well as the opportunity to develop their research and analytical and advocacy skills, in the formal environment of an appellate court.

Questions regarding this competition can be directed to our Mooting Competitions Officer Jessie Smith at email hidden; JavaScript is required" target="_blank">email hidden; JavaScript is required

Competition Dates

Round 1A: 30th and 31st August 2010

Round 1B: 6th and 7th September 2010

Quarter-Finals: 20th September 2010

Semi-Final: 11th October 2010

Grand Final: 18th October 2010

Competition Materials

• Assessment Sheet
• Information for Associates
• Information for Competitors
• Information for Judges
• Problem Guidelines
• Sample list of Authorities
• Rules

GRAND FINAL THIS WEEK!!

International Humanitarian Law is the body of law that regulates conduct between opposing sides during times of war or armed conflict. The International Humanitarian Law Mooting Competition involves a simulated trial before the International Criminal Court, in which teams of two counsel represent the prosecution or the defence. The focus of the competition is the preparation of an Outline of Submissions and the presentation of oral argument.

Given the basic knowledge of international humanitarian law required, there is a generous preparation period before the moot and teams are provided with a case list suggesting relevant authorities. The problems concern alleged breaches of international humanitarian law and are designed to reflect actual criminal prosecutions, as well as address emerging issues in the law of armed conflict. The competition aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore the area of international humanitarian law, as well develop their research analytical and advocacy skills in a formal environment.

Questions regarding this competition may be directed to our Mooting Competitions Officer Jessie Smith at email hidden; JavaScript is required" target="_blank">email hidden; JavaScript is required

Competition Dates

Round 1: Monday 16th August & Tuesday 17th August 2010

Round 2: Monday 23rd August 2010

Semi-Final: Monday 30th August 2010

Grand Final: Wednesday 8th September 2010

Competition Materials

• Assessment Sheet
• Information for Competitors
• Information for Judges
• Rules
• Sample Submissions

What: Blake Dawson “Queen of Hearts” Law Ball
When: Friday 20 August 2010, 7pm – Midnight
Where: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Cost: $115 Members/$125 Non-Members

The mother of all Blackstone events is approaching and this year promises to be the biggest and best Law Ball to date!

Girls book your hair appointments, buy a fabulous dress, do your nails, bronze up your bodies, wax your legs, tweeze your brows, gloss your lips, glue on your lashes, whiten your teeth and botox your faces. Boys, dust off last year?s suit and shampoo your hair.

Blake Dawson and Blackstone present a Queen of Hearts inspired Alice in Wonderland Ball. That is all we can say, the rest shall be revealed on August 20.

Tickets $115 members/ $125 non-members, on sale from Wednesday 28 July at midday

What: Quad Law Show
When: Friday 13 August 2010, 7pm till late
Where: Club Bay View
Cost: $10 Members/$15 Non-Members

Join your future colleagues from UWA, Murdoch, Notre Dame and ECU Law Schools for a night of fun and frivolity at our favourite, and fittingly scary, haunt Clubba.

Cheap drink specials from 7:30-9:30pm

Tickets $10 members/ $15 non-members, tickets on sale from Wednesday 28 July at Midday

What: Norton Rose Amazing Race
When: Friday 13 August, midday – 4.00pm
Where: Starts at the Esplanade, Perth
Cost: $20 per team of 4

The Norton Rose Amazing Race is a scavenger hunt with a twist, run through Perths CBD.

This year’s Race is going to be the most intense and most outrageous Amazing Race yet! So find three mates and sign up your team of four at the Blackstone ticket selling table this week and next.

Entry is only $5 per person with great prizes on offer and a few drinks at the end of the day! You will need a digital camera and make sure you are wearing underwear…

What: Blackstone Penultimate Students Cocktail Party
When: Thursday August 4 2010, 6.30-10.30
Where: Etro Bar on King St in the City
Cost: $30 Members/ $35 Non-members

Forget the 3rd Year Dinner at Hans… this year Blackstone is going slightly more up market.

The Penultimate Students Cocktail Party – for students doing Admin and Evidence, and those of us who are slightly in between 3rd year and final year.

Guest speakers as well!

Includes canapes and a bar tab – get there early before it runs out!

Tickets on sale in the Law Courtyard Monday – Thursday – 12pm – 2pm

Sponsored by Clayton Utz

Join the Facebook group here!

The How-To session for the 2010 Allens Arthur Robinson Negotiation and Mediation Competition will be held on Tuesday 27th July at 1 pm in the Moot Court.

For anyone thinking about signing up for this competition, guest speaker Jackson Allen from AAR will be coming along to give some points on what the judges will be looking for.

For anyone thinking that they would like to get involved in Blackstone competitions generally, there …will be some other speakers introducing the competition and sharing their experiences.

It shouldnt go for any longer than 45 minutes and the sign-up sheets will be distributed at the end-make sure you’re there because they will fill up fast!!

Sponsored by Allens Arthur Robinson

Clients of law firms increasingly want to settle disputes without the time and expense involved in proceeding to court action. Therefore, skills in dispute resolution are essential for lawyers in all practice areas, not merely litigation. The Blackstone Society is keen to encourage students to keep alternative career paths in mind during their studies, and skills learned from competing in Negotiation will be of value to everyone, not matter what profession they plan to pursue after graduating from Law School.

The Allens Arthur Robinson Negotiation Competition involves a simulated negotiation of a legal issue in which teams of two negotiators represent different parties to the dispute. The focus of the competition is the achievement of a negotiation outcome that satisfies the goals and expectations of each team’s client. Given this objective, no knowledge of the substantive law is necessary, and only limited pre-negotiation preparation is required. The competition aims to expose students to a form of consensual resolution of disputes that is increasingly prevalent in the community, while developing their skills of negotiation, perception and communication.

Queries regarding this competition can be forwarded to our Competitions Office Joey Leith at email hidden; JavaScript is required">email hidden; JavaScript is required

Competition Dates

Round 1: Tuesday 3rd August, Wednesday 4th August, Tuesday 10th August and Wednesday 11th August 2010

Round 2: Tuesday 24th August,  Wednesday 25th August 2010

Round 3:  Tuesday 7th September 2010

Semi-Final: Tuesday 14th September 2010

Grand Final: Tuesday 21st September 2010

Competition Materials

• Assessment Sheet
• Information for Competitors
• Information for Judges
• Rules
• Negotiation Guide
• Sample Problem

*** Grand Final THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT!

Wednesday 12 May, 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start, District Court of Western Australia (TBC). The Judge will be everyone’s favourite Torts Law lecturer, Dr Brenda McGivern.

The Grand Finalists are:

Hannah-Mei Andrews and Lauren Bourke

and

Andrea Bradley and Ilona Quahe.

Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Sponsored by Norton Rose

The 2010 Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition involves a simulated trial in which teams of two counsel represent the prosecution/plaintiff or the defence. The focus of the competition is examination and cross-examination of witnesses to provide an answer to a particular legal problem, together with the presentation of brief opening and closing addresses. Given this fact-finding objective, no knowledge of the substantive law is necessary, and only limited pre-trial preparation is required.

The problems, set before the Magistrate’s Court, the District Court or the Supreme Court and heard by a single presiding judge or magistrate, are designed to reflect real court practice, and are often based on actual civil and criminal matters. The competition aims to provide students with a practical understanding of the rules of evidence and an insight into the operation of the court system, while developing their skills of persuasive argument in a formal environment.

Trial Advocacy is one of the most dynamic and exciting competitions that Blackstone organises; if you harbour secret ambitions of yourself in a starring role in Law and Order this is the competition for you. You can also indulge your theatrical fantasies by volunteering as a witness.

The Coordinator of the 2010 Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition is Joey Leith. Please direct all queries to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Competition Dates

Round 1: Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th March 2010

Round 2: Tuesday 13^th April 2010

Semi-Final: Tuesday 27^th April 2010

Grand Final: Wednesday 12^th May 2010

Competition Materials

-        Assessment Sheet
-        Information for Associates
-        Associate’s Timesheet
-        Information for Competitors
-        Information for Judges & Magistrates
-        Information for Witnesses
-        First Year Trial Advocacy Rules
-        Problem Guidelines
-        Sample Problem
-        First Year Trial Advocacy Guide

Sponsored by Norton Rose

The 2010 Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition involves a simulated trial in which teams of two counsel represent the prosecution/plaintiff or the defence. The focus of the competition is examination and cross-examination of witnesses to provide an answer to a particular legal problem, together with the presentation of brief opening and closing addresses. Given this fact-finding objective, no knowledge of the substantive law is necessary, and only limited pre-trial preparation is required.

The problems, set before the Magistrate’s Court, the District Court or the Supreme Court and heard by a single presiding judge or magistrate, are designed to reflect real court practice, and are often based on actual civil and criminal matters. The competition aims to provide students with a practical understanding of the rules of evidence and an insight into the operation of the court system, while developing their skills of persuasive argument in a formal environment.

Trial Advocacy is one of the most dynamic and exciting competitions that Blackstone organises; if you harbour secret ambitions of yourself in a starring role in Law and Order this is the competition for you. You can also indulge your theatrical fantasies by volunteering as a witness.

The Coordinator of the 2010 Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition is Joey Leith. Please direct all queries to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Competition Dates

Round 1: Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th March 2010

Round 2: Tuesday 13^th April 2010

Semi-Final: Tuesday 27^th April 2010

Grand Final:  Tuesday 4^th May 2010

Competition Materials

-        Assessment Sheet
-        Information for Associates
-        Associate’s Timesheet
-        Information for Competitors
-        Information for Judges & Magistrates
-        Information for Witnesses
-        First Year Trial Advocacy Rules
-        Problem Guidelines
-        Sample Problem
-        First Year Trial Advocacy Guide

Date: 30 April 2010
Time: 5pm
Place: Starting point is Basement on Broadway (BoB)
Cost: $20
Theme: “Golfing Pro’s and Tiger’s H*’s” – dress in your finest golfing attire – Handicaps may be awarded early for those looking particularly good!

Feeling like those Mid Semester exams have got you down? Need another cheeky excuse to party on a Friday night? Introducing the inaugural Blackstone Pub Crawl – R U Crawling?

This is not your ordinary pub crawl, nor your ordinary round of golf…Like a normal round of golf, you’ll be competing to come out with the lowest score after 9 holes… but your strokes per hole depend on how game you are at taking some tricky ‘shots’…

There might be a few extra “Tiger Challenges” thrown in for good measure to earn you a few extra bonuses! All will be revealed at BoB.

*This event is strictly 18+*

Tickets on sale FROM MONDAY 19 April between 12pm-2pm in the Law Courtyard

Join the facebook event here!

This year, Blackstone attacks the CBD in the name of charity for Prosh – and our theme is Mimes!

Here’s why:

1. Mimes are the simplest and cheapest costume theme of all. You just need the black-and-white shirt and a shitload of white makeup. This theme guarantees that even the laziest bastard in Blackstone can dress up to the theme!

2. Our Prosh skit is basically covered, and will look awesome – a massive version of Art vs Science’s Parlez-vous Francais, choreographed by our two resident dancing experts, Jess Dunn and Vanessa Varghese.

3. On a similar note, we can do some awesome stunts related to mimes or silence.

4. We will be impossible to ignore, and it will force people to pay attention when a huge crown of mimes descend on the CBD.

5. Our float will stand out from everyone else’s. Seriously, we will look awesome.

6. Most importantly of all, like all the most successful Prosh themes there will be uniformity – you will be able to tell when you are looking at a Law Student.

Get psyched up – silently!

(Find the Facebook event here)

DATE: 15 April 2010
VENUE: Bar 1907, 26 Queen St, Perth
TIME: 7pm – 10pm
TICKETS: $30 members / #35 non-members

The Blackstone Society’s Final Year Cocktail Party is a fantastic night for final year students. It is held at the beginning of the academic year as a ‘back-to-school event’ for students graduating in 2010. The Cocktail Party is a great night to dress up, relax and catch up with everyone’s news and travels over summer!

Date: 7 May 2010
Time: 7-11pm
Place: Grand River Ballroom, Sheraton Hotel
Cost: $75 Members, $85 Non-Members

1. Ever wondered what you get when you place some of the sharpest legal minds in the country in a room with plenty of booze and a couple of hundred law students?

2. Are you looking for an evening of scintillating conversation and high-brow wit?

If you answered yes to the first and no to the second, then the 2010 Blake Dawson Law Dinner Debate is the event for you!

Arguing the topic, “that women make better lawyers”, will be:

AFFIRMATIVE (from the profession):
-  His Honour Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of the WA Supreme Court;
-  Elizabeth Shaw, Solicitor with the State Solicitor’s Office; and
-  Justin Jones, Senior Associate at Blake Dawson.

NEGATIVE (from the UWA Law School):
-  Zarah Burgess;
-  Luke Villiers; and
-  Kristian Barron

Get ready for a night of raucous tomfoolery and gutter-worthy shenanigans!

TICKETS: $75 Members, $85 Non-Members
* Includes a 2-course meal and 4-hour drinks package! *

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 13th (12-2pm, Law Courtyard)

Date: Thursday 25 March (Week 5).
Time: 7-10pm
Place: Hans Northbridge (followed by a cheeky excursion to Clubba for those who are keen to kick on!)
Cost: $25 for Blackstone Members, $30 for Non-Members.

Fellow First Years! It is high time we all caught up in the one place for a night of great fun, food, drinks and even better company. You are invited to attend Blackstone’s First Year Dinner, which will take place on Thursday 25th March at Hans Northbridge. The dinner is for those students who are enrolled in Torts & Contract this year, and will provide a chance to catch up with your fellow students and Blackstone Reps who you missed so dearly over the summer break!

Read more…

Date: THIS THURSDAY – 18 MARCH 2010.
Time: 7-10pm then out on the town for whoever is keen!
Place: Hans Northbridge (and then wherever the night may lead…a certain club may be beckoning).
Cost: $25 for Blackstone Members, $30 for Non-Members.

As a welcome back to uni present for all second years (those studying Property I and/or Equity this semester), the Blackstone Society is putting on the Second Year Dinner extravaganza, which is ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT with refreshments included! This is an excellent law school bonding opportunity, with the chance to re-connect with friends after the holidays and to get to know some of the amazing Second Years that you might not have spent much time with yet!

Read more…

One of Blackstone’s most anticipated events has finally been approved and its going to be bigger and better than ever!

The 2010 CYS will have better d-floor lighting, greater capacity and a greater selection of drinks, yes DIFFERENT DRINKS. In addition to all the wonderful drinks that come in canned form (beer, UDL, Pulse, Bourbon & Coke), Blackstone has also gained approval for the addition of white wine, champagne and daiquiris!

Music and lighting will be provided by DJ MC.Make sure you write your song requests on the wall and we will pass it on.

Read more…

Sponsored by Clayton Utz

The 2010 Clayton Utz Trial Advocacy Competition involves a simulated trial in which teams of two counsel represent the prosecution/plaintiff or the defence. The focus of the competition is examination and cross-examination of witnesses to provide an answer to a particular legal problem, together with the presentation of brief opening and closing addresses. Given this fact-finding objective, no knowledge of the substantive law is necessary, and only limited pre-trial preparation is required.

The problems, set before the Magistrate’s Court, the District Court or the Supreme Court and heard by a single presiding judge or magistrate, are designed to reflect real court practice, and are often based on actual civil and criminal matters. The competition aims to provide students with a practical understanding of the rules of evidence and an insight into the operation of the court system, while developing their skills of persuasive argument in a formal environment.

Trial Advocacy is one of the most dynamic and exciting competitions that Blackstone organises; if you harbour secret ambitions of yourself in a starring role in Law and Order this is the competition for you. You can also indulge your theatrical fantasies by volunteering as a witness.

The Coordinator of the 2010 Clayton Utz Trial Advocacy Competition is Rosie Hill. Please direct all queries to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Competition Dates

Round 1: Monday 1^st, Tuesday 2^nd, Monday 8^th & Tuesday 9^th March 2010

Round 2: Monday 29^th & Tuesday 30^th March 2010

Round 3: Monday 12^th April 2010

Semi-Final: Monday 26^th April 2010

Grand Final: Monday 3^rd May 2010

Competition Materials

-        Assessment Sheet
-        Information for Associates
-        Associate’s Timesheet
-        Information for Competitors
-        Information for Judges & Magistrates
-        Information for Witnesses
-        Rules
-        Problem Guidelines
-        Sample Problem
-        Trial Advocacy Guide

GRAND FINAL THIS WEEK!!

Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Blackstone invite you to join us for an evening of public speaking prowess and intellectual entertainment – the Grand Final of the Open Mooting Competition.

The moot will be held at the Supreme Court of Western Australia (Wednesday 18 August 2010, 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start) and presided over by the honourable Chief Justice of Western Australia, Wayne Martin.

Congratulations to the grand finalists:

• Larissa Atkinson
• Nik Barron
• Tom Langdon
• Luke Villiers

Refreshments will be served after the moot.

Sponsored by Mallesons Stephen Jaques

Mooting is a competition in which UWA has a long history of excellence at national and international levels. It offers students an opportunity to develop oratorical skills, confidence, and to research areas of the law with which they would be otherwise unfamiliar. Mooting presents law students with a means to learn the formal procedures involved in presenting argument to the court, such as when and how to address the bench. Learning how to prepare a list of authorities and outline of submissions means students are familiar with documents which they might not have otherwise seen before undertaking vacation clerkships or casual work at law firms.

The 2010 Mallesons Stephen Jaques Open Mooting Competition involves a simulated hearing before an appellate court in which individual counsel argue particular points of law. The focus of the competition is the research and preparation of a List of Authorities and a brief Outline of Submissions and the presentation of oral argument. Given the significant degree of familiarity with the law required, mooters tend to devote themselves to preparation for the three days before the moot.

The problems, set before the Full Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Full Federal Court and – occasionally – the High Court, are designed to promote argument in areas of the law that are unsettled or subject to recent developments. The competition aims to provide students with an opportunity to develop their research and analytical skills, as well as their skills of persuasive argument, in the formal environment of an appellate court.

The Organiser of the 2010 Mallesons Stephen Jaques Open Mooting Competition is Jessie Smith. Please direct all queries to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Competition Dates

Round 1: Monday 15th March, Tuesday 16th March, Monday 22nd March and Tuesday 23rd March 2010

Round 2: Monday 19th April & Tuesday 20th April 2010

Quarter-Final: TBC

Semi-Final: Monday 2nd August

Grand Final: Wednesday 18th August

Competition Materials

-        Assessment Sheet
-        Information for Associates
-        Associate’s Timesheet
-        Information for Competitors
-        Information for Judges
-        Rules
-        Sample List of Authorities and Outline of Submissions
-        Problem Guidelines
-        Open Mooting Crashcourse
-        Open Mooting Tips – His Honour David Malcolm
-        Open Mooting Tips – Her Honour Antoinette Kennedy

The inaugural Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition commences on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th March 2010. Watch out for the Trial Ad ‘How To’ session and sign up sheets in the Courtyard!

For further information, see the Competitions page of the website.

*** Grand Final THIS MONDAY NIGHT!

The final is being held at Freehills in the QV1 building on St George’s Terrace. It will start at 5.30pm. Three lawyers from Freehills will judge the trial.

The Grand Finalists are:

Raymond Chester-Wallis and Lana Tian

and

Sarah Robertson and Duska Van Nellestijn

Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Sponsored by Freehills

The 2010 Freehills Client Interview Competition is a team event which provides students with the opportunity to achieve practical skills which are of great value to many professions, not just legal practitioners. The art of building rapport with clients by achieving rapid engagement and active listening cannot be underestimated, and Client Interview in particular is one competition which has no parallel within the Law School’s formal curriculum.

The 2010 Freehills Client Interview Competition is a simulated conference in which teams of two lawyers interview a client for the first time. The focus of the competition is the identification of the nature of the client’s problem, investigation of relevant background and the suggestion of an appropriate structured solution. Given these objectives, no knowledge of the substantive law is necessary, and only limited pre-interview preparation is required. The problems consist of a short memorandum, such as a law office secretary might give to interviewing practitioners when a client has called to make an appointment. The competition aims to provide students with an opportunity to develop their client interview technique and enhance their skills of perception and communication, proficiencies which are essential in day-to-day legal practice.

The Coordinator of the 2010 Freehills Client Interview is Rosie Staude. Please direct all queries to email hidden; JavaScript is required

Competition Dates

Round 1: Tuesday 16^th, Wednesday 17^th, Tuesday 23^rd & Wednesday 24^th March 2010

Round 2: Tuesday 20^th & Wednesday 21^st April 2010

Round 3: Tuesday 27^th April 2010

Semi-Final: Tuesday 4^th May 2010

Grand Final: Monday 10^th May 2010

Competition Materials

-          Assessment Sheet
-          Information for Clients
-          Information for Competitors
-          Information for Judges
-          Rules
-          Problem Guidelines
-          Client Interview Guide
-          Sample Client Interview Problem

Cocktail Party launch: Friday 26 March 2010 (THIS FRIDAY!)

Gala Breakfast: Thursday 23 September 2010

The Blackstone Society’s Women in the Law Mentor Scheme is a major annual event run by the Equity portfolio. The Scheme sees female law student mentees paired with female mentors from the legal profession. Several social events are run throughout the year as part of the Scheme, providing an opportunity for mentees and mentors to mingle, give and receive invaluable advice and discuss issues of concern to women in the law. In 2010 a cocktail party will be held to launch the Scheme, followed by a gala breakfast in second semester.

Date: THIS FRIDAY – 19 MARCH 2010
Time:7pm on
Place: Terrazza Cafe and Restaurant, 156 Hampden Road, Nedlands.
Cost: $20 for Blackstone Members, $25 for Non-Members

Tickets $20 members/ $25 non-members, Friday 19 March, 7.00pm on

Are you a graduate law student, or otherwise 24+? Then come along to the Blackstone Society – Clayton Utz Grad and Mature Students Mingle.

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