Six Legal Studies students from two local high schools showed exceptional confidence and communication skills in USC’s simulated courtroom this week (10 June) at the grand final of the annual Sunshine Coast Schools Mooting Competition.

Mooting is a simulated court hearing where participants consider a legal problem, prepare written submissions and use their oral presentation skills to argue their case before judges.

The 2019 event, run by the USC Law School and Sunshine Coast Grammar School, culminated in the final between a team from Chancellor State College and a team from last year’s champion Immanuel Lutheran College.

In a very close competition, Immanuel Lutheran College (Britta Madsen, Nicola Beriman and Sophie Rawlins) defeated Chancellor State College (Petra Nunn, Gracye Black, Mitchell Agnew).

Chancellor student Petra Nunn was awarded Best Speaker.

USC Lecturer in Law Dr Dominique Moritz said she was impressed by the standard of the students’ arguments in relation to a criminal law case about provocation.

“Mooting allows competitors to engage with topical legal issues, enhance their advocacy and writing skills and collaborate with their peers,” she said.

“This competition enables USC to engage with the local community and former participants have gone on to study law at USC.”

Emma Crouch and Krishna Alister from Shine Lawyers, a major sponsor of the competition, presided over the grand final.