Mackay has just recently celebrated another Law Week organised by the Mackay District Law Association.
Law week consists of a number of events, including the Queensland Legal Walk which was this year led by Justice Henry in Mackay, and a mooting competition where trainee solicitors and new solicitors in Mackay are encouraged to participate.
A moot is a mock trial that provides invaluable experience for young lawyers to learn advocacy skills relevant to the court room.
This year Macrossan & Amiet was represented by Sinead Butler and Jade Barker. The competition consisted of three rounds. A heat on Monday in which Sinead competed, another heat on Wednesday in which Jade competed, and a final on Friday.
Barristers from the Mackay region were present to provide feedback to the participants on their advocacy skills.
All of the moots were based on fairy tales, with both Sinead and Jade’s team having to defend Dorothy against a charge of murder in the heats.
It was alleged that Dorothy had thrown a bucket of water on the wicked witch of the west with an intention to kill her. Both Sinead and Jade were successful in their heats, progressing through to a moot-off in the final on Friday.
The final was based on the boy who cried wolf, with Sinead’s team acting for plaintiff, and Jade’s team for the Defendant. It was alleged that a number of false text messages were sent by the Defendant warning the Plaintiff of imminent wolf attacks, leading to the Plaintiff ignoring a final message that ultimately culminated in the brutal murder of her flock of sheep.
Jade’s team successfully defended the claim, and the boy who cried wolf did not have to compensate the Plaintiff for her loss.
Sinead and Jade have walked away from the experience enriched and grateful for the opportunity to practise their advocacy before some great legal minds.
