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Monday, 24 February 2014

For the fifth time in six years, a team of students representing the UWA Law School will compete in the international round of the Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition after successfully competing in the national round of the competition held in Canberra.The 2014 team consists of Lauren Bourke, Gary Cheung, Ilona Quahe, Ralph Timpani and Benjamin Tomasi.  The coaching panel comprises Chloe Gall, Rachel Paljetak and Luke Villiers.

The UWA team were victorious in their semi-final moot against Murdoch University, but lost a close contest to the University of Queensland in the grand final moot before the Honourable Justice Patrick Keane, Professor Rosemary Rayfuse (University of New South Wales) and Ms Dominique Hogan-Doran (barrister at the Sydney Bar).

The team will travel to Washington DC in early April to represent Australia against more than 120 qualifying teams from 90 countries.  The team were further rewarded for their hard work, securing the prizes for best respondent memorial and best overall memorials.  Lauren Bourke and Ralph Timpani each received top oralist prizes, ranking first and second in the individual category respectively.

The Jessup Moot is regarded worldwide as the most prestigious mooting competition for law students.  Students prepare oral and written submissions addressing legal issues arising from a set of facts concerning public international law matters.  This year’s problem concerns the tension between maritime development and marine conservation, criminal jurisdiction and maritime salvage rights.

UWA has competed in the Jessup Moot since the early 1980s, winning the international  Jessup Cup in 2003 and named international runner-up in 1995 and 2002.  UWA has continued its outstanding record in the competition, sending a team to Washington DC in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Many academic and administrative staff from the UWA Law School and Library support  the team in preparing for the competition, as well as senior members of the WA legal profession.

UWA Dean of Law Professor Erika Techera said: 'The Jessup Moot is the most significant competition in the mooting calendar, attracting teams from around the world. We are very proud of the history of success of our students over the years. This year the UWA Law School team has already done exceptionally well, progressing through the Australian rounds. We look forward to following their progress when they compete in Washington DC shortly.'

In particular, the team thank the Honourable Justice Michael Buss, Winthrop Professor Holly Cullen and Mr Richard Hooker for presiding over the team’s final practice moot before the national competition held in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and for the ongoing support from UWA’s Dean of Law Erika Techera.

Photograph: the practice moot in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.  Left to right: Benjamin Tomasi, Ilona Quahe, Lauren Bourke, Ralph Timpani and Gary Cheung.

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