COMPETITIONS

AALN MOOTING COMPETITION

The AALN Mooting Competition began in 2019 with the aim of developing and fostering strong advocacy skills within African Australian lawyers and law students. The competition provides an immersive experience in which competitors address legal questions while familiarising themselves with court procedure.

Competitors are coached by Barristers at the Victorian Bar who provide feedback on their written and oral submissions as well as providing insight into the skills required for strong advocacy. The competition is judged by current members of the judiciary which allows mooters to receive direct and valuable feedback from judges on the content of their arguments, as well as other aspects of their written and oral advocacy in each case.

The competition is open to mooters of all skill levels: from law students to admitted lawyers with or without prior mooting experience. We strongly encourage those who would like to sharpen their advocacy and general legal skills to participate.

2026 National Moot | APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Applications are now closed for the 2026 AALN National Moot.

Designed specifically for African Australian law students and early-career legal professionals across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, this flagship competition offers an unparalleled platform to hone practical advocacy, develop advanced legal research skills, and build lasting professional connections.

Whether you are stepping into a courtroom environment for the first time or looking to refine your litigation technique, the competition is structured to support and challenge participants at every stage.

Key Features of the Competition

Mentorship & Direct Coaching: Work alongside and receive dedicated coaching from practising barristers, gaining direct insight into brief analysis, written submissions, and oral advocacy.
Judged by Federal Court Judges: Present your arguments before sitting and former Federal Court Judges, receiving invaluable real-time judicial feedback on your submissions and courtroom delivery.
Flexible Team Options: Register as a team of 3–4 (comprising 2 barristers and 1–2 instructing solicitors) or sign up individually to be paired with other participants by the moot conveners.
Hybrid Multi-City Format: Open to participants in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, featuring both online and in-person rounds to ensure broad accessibility.
Structured 4-Round Format: Compete across four comprehensive rounds held throughout October and November 2026, giving teams multiple opportunities to refine their strategy and advocacy.

Important Details & Key Dates

Eligibility: African Australian law students (all years) and early-career lawyers. No prior mooting experience required.
Competition Dates: October – November 2026 (Full schedule and specific fixture dates will be confirmed during the Information Night)

2025 Inaugural National Moot Recap

The inaugural AALN National Moot 2025 marked a milestone as the first national competition of its kind dedicated to African Australian law students and early-career lawyers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. Held across September and October 2025, the competition brought together emerging legal talent to compete in teams of 3–4 (2 barristers and 1–2 instructing solicitors) over four challenging rounds. Participants had the unique opportunity to develop courtroom advocacy, legal research, and teamwork skills under the mentorship of practising barristers, with moots presided over by Federal Court Judges.