Competitions Overview

A balanced legal education exposes students to at least three elements: substantive legal principles, academic legal scholarship and practical legal skills. While each of these elements is central to all of Blackstone’s competitions, there is a particular emphasis on providing a forum for students to develop practical expertise. Equally important is the opportunity to interact with other students, academic staff, practitioners, and judges in an environment that is both rewarding and enjoyable.

Through the support of the Law School, the generosity of sponsoring firms, and the invaluable assistance of members of the legal profession in Western Australia, Blackstone is able to conduct numerous internal competitions each year with over 350 students participating.

Blackstone competitors are also able to represent UWA at a number of external competitions, notably the national championships held as part of the Australian Law Students’ Association Annual Asia-Pacific Conference. Other external competitions in which UWA holds a stellar reputation include the Phillip C Jessup International Law Mooting Competition and the Michael Kirby Contract Arbitration Moot.

With such a wide variety of competitions on offer throughout the year, there are opportunities for everyone to participate, if not as a competitor, then as an organiser, witness, client, judge’s associate, or spectator. Volunteers in these roles are an integral part of Blackstone’s competitions, and as such we welcome all whom wish to get involved.

There are many benefits of competing in Blackstone’s competitions. Participation in competitions allows you to meet and get feedback from industry professionals. They are an opportunity to apply your legal knowledge in a practical setting which develops your advocacy, research and reasoning skills.

COMPETITIONS RUNNING IN 2019

Internal

• Open Witness Examination

• Client Interview

• Open Mooting

• First Year Witness Examination

• First Year Mooting

• Student paper

• Herbert Smith Freehills Negotiation

ALSA

• Witness Exam

• Client interview

• Mooting

• Negotiation

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Applications for the various competitions open at different times. Check out each of the specific competitions in the relevant section.

There are also plenty of opportunities for students who aren’t competing to help out. Contact the Competitions VP, Alexander Gibson.