On to Washington DC in April
On 11 February, Macquarie University Law students were, for the first time, crowned national champions at the prestigious 2023 Philip C Jessup International Moot Court Competition in Canberra.
The Jessup International Moot Court Competition is the biggest, oldest, and most prestigious law student competition in the world. Approximately 700 law schools from more than 100 countries take part in the competition, with the top 150 then qualifying for the international rounds.
This year’s team, comprised of students Taylor McCoy, Kyle McIndoe, Rabia Rasul and Matthew Kocx, faced Bond University in the Grand Final held in the High Court of Australia. The team advocated before the highest judicial officer in the country, Chief Justice Susan Kiefel of the High Court – an unparalleled opportunity most in the legal profession will never have.
The competition involves a simulation of a dispute between countries argued before the International Court of Justice. This year’s topics included attacks in allegedly occupied territory, unilateral economic sanctions, the treatment of detainees and the transfer of hazardous waste. Students began preparing in September, and have spent months intensively researching, writing and trialling their oral advocating, under the guidance of Dr Shireen Daft, Faculty Advisor, and coach Fareed Qureshi.
The Jessup is highly regarded and valued in the legal industry, with many senior partners, judges and barristers having competed as students themselves. It provides students with the highest order of discipline, research, writing, critical thinking and oral advocacy skills leading to exceptional graduate outcomes.