Kirby Moot

The Annual Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot Competition is hosted by Victoria Law School at Victoria University (VU).

We are pleased to announce that the 12th Annual Kirby Contract Law Moot 2024 will run Monday 23 – Thursday 26 September 2024.

2024 registration, competition & teams

This year’s competition will be conducted in-person, Monday 23 – Thursday 26 September 2024, at Victoria Law School, 295 Queen Street, City Campus with the Grand Final appearing at the County Court.

Registrations open 3 June and teams must register before 26 July. Only two teams per university will be eligible to register.

Find more important information following.

Costs

Key dates

About the competition

Mooting is the oldest form of legal training for law advocates. At many universities, mooting competitions can be selected as an elective unit in your undergraduate law degree.

The Kirby Moot demonstrates VU’s strong industry connections. It is a fixture in the legal calendar and has strong support from the County Court of Victoria, members of the Victorian Bar, various law firms and practical legal training institutions. Law professionals are invited to judge the rounds and provide feedback to students.

Michael Kirby Justice Oration

Established in 2010, the annual Michael Kirby Justice Oration provides a platform for leaders within our community to share their experiences, deep understanding, knowledge and reflections on issues of justice.

Reflections on the role of advocates confronting power

Last year's Michael Kirby Justice Oration (2023) focused on the role of advocates when facing injustice and the abuse of power, and the critical role advocates now play in our society.

Ranging across time and place, our Orator, Barrister Julian McMahon AC SC reflected on:

the role of an advocate as symbol and actor in confronting settings
the necessity of the rule of law
the importance of advocates speaking truth to power.

From imprisoned advocates to UN enquiries, to some of the work of the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and our own Australian injustices. From liberal democracies to brutal regimes – this 2023 Michael Kirby Justice Oration explored what the role of advocates has been, and now become.

Event sponsors

Past competitions

Congratulations to Australian National University (ANU) for winning the 11th Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot in September 2023, with Bond University placing second.

Sponsor: Leo Cussen Centre for Law

: Australian National University (ANU) won the 11th Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot in September 2023, with Bond University taking second place.

Speaker: Julian P McMahon AC S.C.

Julian works mainly in criminal law. He accepts briefs in all jurisdictions.

He has been engaged in many long and complex trials, including in homicide, terrorism, corruption, drug, fraud and, outside Australia, death penalty matters. He has considerable experience in numerous overseas jurisdictions.

In 2021 Julian was made a Fellow of Monash University. In 2017 he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia. He has been awarded the Law Council of Australia's President's medal, an honorary Doctorate in Law from the Australian Catholic University, the 2016 Victorian Australian of the Year, and the Victoria Law Foundation Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award.

Julian holds an Indictable Crime Certificate and is a member of the VLA Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List.
: Congratulations to Macquarie University for winning the 10th Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot in September 2022. The competition was hosted by Victoria University College of Law & Justice and sponsored by Leo Cussen Centre for Law.

Oration

In 2022 the Michael Kirby Justice Oration was presented by the Hon. Dr Barry Jones, AC, FAA.
: Congratulations to Bond University for winning the 9th Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot in August 2021. The competition was hosted by Victoria University College of Law & Justice and sponsored by Leo Cussen Centre for Law, the College of Law, Thomson-Reuters, LexisNexis and Oxford University Press.
Olivia Rankine from Bond University was the Best Oralist in the quarter, Semi-final and grand final rounds.
Download the award ceremony document.
The 9th Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot Grand Final (password t&DAYGS5).
Oration
In 2021 the Michael Kirby Justice Oration was presented by Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, President, Australian Human Rights Commission.
: In 2018 the Kirby Moot was held at VU's College of Law & Justice, Queen Street Melbourne.
2018 Kirby Moot problem with clarifications
2018 Kirby Moot rules.
2018 results.
: In 2017, 27 teams from 17 universities competed in the moot.
The 2017 Kirby Moot grand final was held at the County Court, with a panel of judges.
2017 problem and clarifications
2017 rules
2017 General Rounds Draw
View the 2017 winners.
: 2016 problem
2016 rules
2016 results