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Mooting is a fundamental element of legal education that allows students to use and refine written and oral communication skills which are essential for success in future careers. This course enables students to develop sophisticated research skills, persuasive oral skills and a developed capacity to think on their feet through participating in the Phillip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Successful participation in the course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key substantive areas of international law raised by the competition problem and dispute resolution in the International Court of Justice. Mooting also provides law students with an authentic learning experience in a `real world' context which has direct application in a professional legal environment. Students who have successfully completed mooting courses are well placed for a good transition to the workforce.

This course enables students to gain significant experience in international law and advocacy by participating in the Phillip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Students work as a team to represent fictitious States in a dispute before the International Court of Justice. The team comprises 5 students. Selection is competitive and involves consideration of a student's completed application form, academic record, willingness to commit to the competition from November to February, prior mooting or debating experience and an interview. The competition problem (the compromis) is released in September, after which the team will research together areas of public international law relevant to the compromis and prepare submissions (called memorials) for both States in the hypothetical dispute. The memorials are submitted in January. The team then prepares and refines oral pleadings, before competing against other Australian university teams in Canberra in February. Two Australian finalist teams then compete in the international finals in Washington DC. Team registration, travel and accommodation expenses are paid by the University. This course involves intensive work from November to February, and may involve additional work outside that period. A full-time commitment is required in this period, and only minimal part-time employment is permissible.

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. examine and critically analyse selected topics in traditional and emerging areas of public international law
2. correctly apply appropriate core principles of public international law to a complex hypothetical problem
3. analyse and synthesise international legal information and materials to generate and structure appropriate written and oral arguments for a specialist legal audience
4. undertake self-directed legal research and preparation of written submissions
5. collaborate effectively with Jessup team members to undertake research and prepare written and oral submissions
6. undertake the appropriate practice and use correct procedures of the International Court of Justice
7. reflect on their abilities to undertake effective legal work as a member of a team.