The Mackay District Law Association held its annual moot competition this year starting on the 16 May 2022. This year Taylors Solicitors, McKays Solicitors, Maurice Blackburn, Statewide Family Law and our own Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors newly admitted solicitor, Damon Boswell and law graduate, Narada Sirichaivachakul participated.
A ‘Moot’ is a court competition which simulates a court hearing whereby participants analyze a legal issue, research the applicable laws, prepare written submission and present oral arguments. Similar to its cousin debate, moot is the specialized application of the art of persuasive advocacy. It has been a part of legal training future lawyers for centuries.
The Preliminary rounds were held on Monday, 16 May and Wednesday 18 May. During the preliminary round our representatives Damon Boswell and Narada Sirichaivachakul went head-to-head in the mock case of R v Brown 2019 involving the willful exposure at Blacks Beach. Narada Sirichaivachakul and her partner Grace Harrison from Statewide Family Law successfully defended the defendant Mr Brown due to the lack of an accurate identification from the prosecution’s only witness.
Making it through to the final round, they then presented the plaintiff’s case of trespass amounting to damages by Mr Wolf to the two Pig brothers’ straw and stick houses from the children’s tale of The Three Little Pigs. Members of the legal profession attended the final moot to support their peers and provided constructive feedback to what the Judge affectionate called the ‘baby barristers.’
Both teams had a great performance and received valuable feedback to assist in developing their skills for their future court appearances and legal careers. Unfortunately, Narada and Grace narrowly missed out on the win, with the Judge finding for the defendant, represented by Dylan Harrison from McKays Solicitors and Shannan Eckman-Smith from Maurice Blackburn.
The Judge stated that often it is thought of that issues and stories have only two sides a like the two faces of a coin, law however has three sides: the plaintiff, the defendant and the Courts.
Participating in the moots have been a rewarding experience for the newly admitted solicitors and law graduates. Moot presented an exciting opportunity for new members of the legal profession to develop skills, network and learn from experienced judges and barristers.
Macrossan & Amiet would like to congratulate and thank all the participants, volunteers and coordinators involved with Moot 2022.
