Are you interested in seeing how legal competitions work without having to compete? Do you want to be an integral part of the courtroom and have fun at the same time? Then consider putting your name forward as a volunteer for Blackstone’s competitions.
Although undergraduate students commencing in 2012 won’t be able to compete in Blackstone’s legal competitions, you’ll certainly have a chance to be involved with them in a very important way.
Read on to see what roles we need volunteers for and what competitions you will have an opportunity to be a part of. Absolutely no prior experience of any kind is necessary – just a willingness to participate!
Associates: An associate is an assistant to the judge in the courtroom, ensuring all court procedures including time limits of examinations and the swearing in of witnesses are followed. It is a really great opportunity to see how trial advocacy works and styles of witness examination.
Witnesses: Witnesses are an integral part of the Trial Advocacy competition (see below). Witnesses are given statements (‘proofs’) of evidence before the rounds, and are briefed by either the prosecution or defence counsel (depending on which counsel is calling the witness). Counsel will brief witnesses on the evidence and also about responding to questions regarding that evidence. The witness is a great way to be exposed to court procedures for witness examination, and also a lot of fun to act out the bizarre fact scenarios you will be presented with.
Clients: A client is about taking on the role of someone seeking legal advice for the issues in their brief. The client has access to the brief at all times during the ‘interview’ and responds only to the questions counsel poses. Your responses greatly shape the quality of the legal advice given, and it is an excellent way to see how a competition runs.
The competitions you will be able to participate in are listed below. Please follow the link for more info on each competition.
Trial Advocacy – http://www.blackstone.asn.au/competitions/trial-advocacy/
Junior Trial Advocacy - http://www.blackstone.asn.au/competitions/norton-rose-first-year-trial-advocacy/
Open Mooting - http://www.blackstone.asn.au/competitions/open-mooting/
Junior Mooting - http://www.blackstone.asn.au/competitions/junior-mooting/
International Humanitarian Law Mooting - http://www.blackstone.asn.au/competitions/ihl-mooting/
Client Interview - http://www.blackstone.asn.au/competitions/client-interview/
If you are interested, please send an email to prelaw@blackstone.asn.au with your name, student number, contact number, what role(s) you are interested in (associate/witness/client) and what competition(s) you are interested in being involved with (choose from above list).
