17 February, 2015
Entries open on secondary schools mooting competition
Registrations of interest for the annual University of Waikato Te Piringa – Faculty of Law Secondary Schools’ Mooting
competition close on 7 March.
A moot is an exercise employed throughout the world as a tool of legal education. Mooting provides an opportunity for
students to argue over an area of uncertainty in the law. Gaining mooting experience can have a positive impact on
students’ future career.
Competitors gain valuable experience and training in written and oral communication, public speaking, general research
and presentation skills.
Te Piringa – Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato is the only New Zealand university that runs Secondary School
Mooting competitions.
Since 2001 the competition has grown to include schools from Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of
Plenty.
To assist schools, teachers and students, Te Piringa –Faculty of Law could organise mooting workshops for participants
and could put teams in contact with experienced local Law Practitioners and/or Judges willing to coach teams during
preparation phase.
The 2014 Mooting competition was won by Hillcrest High School, with members of the winning team each presented with book
vouchers and a $3000 scholarship to assist with the first year of study at Te Piringa - Faculty of Law, University of
Waikato.
The award for Best Individual Mooter went to Corey Vickers from Spotswood College in New Plymouth.
This year’s competition has been boosted by Hamilton law firm McCaw Lewis Lawyers, which has offered extra prizes for
participants. In addition to the $3000 scholarships awarded to each member of the winning team, McCaw Lewis Lawyers is
offering work experience for all this year’s finalists. Up to six students will be able to gain an insight into the
everyday life of a law firm and gain valuable experience working on real legal projects.
McCaw Lewis will also provide cash prizes to participants, with a total cash prize pool of $2,500.
Full details of the competition, including how to enter, are available at: http://www.waikato.ac.nz/law/news-events/secondary_schools_mooting.