April 18, 2019

Law firm gives students taste of criminal law in mock scenario

Inaugural Morrison’s Criminal Advocacy Competition takes place at UOW. 

Law students were given a taste of criminal law earlier this week (Monday 15 April) as part of the inaugural Morrison’s Criminal Advocacy Competition.

The competition, designed to encourage and foster aspiring young advocates in criminal law, tested advocacy skills used in everyday criminal practice.

Sixteen teams of two competed in a simulated bail application or sentencing hearing, with the winning team taking home $1,200 and second place sharing in $600.

Crystal Gleuch-Martin and Vanja Pjevalica took out first place, with Analise Ritchie and Monica Naumovski claiming second prize. Graeme Morrison and Matt Ward from Morrison’s Law were joined by noted Sydney silk Carolyn Davenport, SC to form the judging panel.

The competition is the first of its kind in Australia and focused on the skills required of legal graduates to prepare documents for, and present in court, in bail or sentencing matters.

With a strong practical focus, the competition was designed to help students understand crucial legislative provisions and principles.

Sophie Whittaker, President of the UOW Law Students' Society, said the competition aimed to equip UOW law students with the skills they need to walk into a courtroom with confidence.

"Each student has their own style of advocacy and this competition was about helping students develop that style before they’ve even been handed their first real case," she said.

"Mock scenarios present students with real-world facts.These scenarios require students to think like lawyers, and apply what they have learnt in the classroom over the course of their degree in practice.

"An opportunity like this is invaluable."

The competition is a partnership between the Law Student Society (LSS) and Wollongong law firm Morrisons Law.

Morrisons Law is a specialist criminal and traffic law firm based in Wollongong, representing clients in the Local, District and Supreme Courts of New South Wales.

The University of Wollongong Law Students’ Society thanked Matt Ward and Graeme Morrison from Morrisons Law Group for their kind generosity and support of the initiative and student competitors.