UTS:Law Monroe E. Price International Media Law Moot Competition 2017/18 Information for Applicants and Application Form
General Information The Monroe E. Price International Media Law Moot Court Competition is organized by the Programme in Comparative Media Law & Policy at Oxford University's Faculty of Law and held from July to April each year. The purpose of the competition is to expand and stimulate interest in media law and policy among students, particularly with respect to freedom of speech and restrictions on content, who will develop expertise in arguing a case before an international bench of judges from different legal systems and backgrounds. Participants in the International rounds held in Oxford operate in a world where a Universal Court of Human Rights has been established to ensure the citizens of the United Nations are enjoying the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this world, the Universal Court of Human Rights substitutes all jurisdictions of all other regional courts and becomes the final adjudicator when all national remedies have been exhausted. The Faculty of Law will participate in this competition in 2017-18 with a team of up to 4 students being selected to represent UTS. Please note that the Faculty reserves the right to not enter a team if suitable candidates for the team cannot be found. The first round of the competition requires teams to develop and write extensive submissions. From this round, teams may then be invited to participate in the Orals Rounds to be held at Oxford University in April 2018 Please note that team participation in the oral rounds at Oxford is by invitation only and will depend on the quality of, and score awarded to, the written memorials (submissions) by the memorial judges. Both Undergraduate and JD students are eligible to compete. Workload The workload involved is particularly demanding: the problem circulated is on complex and current issues of international law concerning freedom of expression and thought, privacy and other matters that impact on the media and the distribution of content, particularly online. Detailed research into both international and comparative law is essential to prepare complex pleadings for both sides with a maximum size prescribed. Students will be required to learn complex legal principles developed through both national and international law The work involved is certainly no less than that for a large research project. Each team prepares two Memorials (5,000-9000 words each) addressing the submissions of the Applicant and Respondent Teams (this will be due January 2018). The memorials are assessed by memorial judges, including distinguished academics and practitioners of media and international law at Oxford University. Teams invited to the oral rounds in Oxford are given the opportunity to present oral submissions in the preliminary rounds, competing against approximately 45 teams 2
from top law schools around the world. The top sixteen teams in the preliminary international rounds move on to the final rounds. Preparation for the competition involves an extremely heavy workload and will commence in October 2017 and requires students to commit themselves fully to the competition until April 2018. The nature of the commitment will be explained by the coach. There will be constant academic supervision and guidance and applicants should be aware that the workload is very demanding and they must be prepared to prioritise the preparation for the competition above other commitments, including other subjects, particularly during the period October 2017 through to April 2018. Students selected for the team must be prepared to meet regularly with the other team members and/or the coach. The ability to be available for meetings, practises, etc during daytimes is essential. Please note: the Coach and academic advisor will review students performance regularly and those considered unable to fulfil their commitment to the team and the competition may be removed from the team. Academic Requisites In addition to meeting other criteria, successful applicants must: 1. Have an above average academic record (a minimum D average or above ie. A WAM 0f 75 or above or GPA of 3.5 or above) and 2. Be able to demonstrate very strong research and writing skills. Students selected for the team will be expected to have an understanding of basic principles of free speech, media law, human rights law and public international law that will be further developed by preparation for and participation in the competition. It is expected that applicants will have completed studies in Media Law, Public International Law, Australian Civil Liberties Law and/or International Human Rights Law. Students not having completed any of these subjects will be required to demonstrate an ability to quickly and independently develop an understanding of relevant legal issues. Students selected for the team may have the opportunity of gaining academic credit for participation in the competition by enrolling in the elective 76904 Price Media Law Moot (permission of the Moot Coordinator will be required). Approval to enrol in the subject will not be given until the ability to commit to preparation for the competition has been demonstrated. 3
Mooting Experience Extensive mooting experience is essential for selection for the team. The successful applicants must be able to demonstrate this experience through participation in: several mooting competitions, at different levels, run by the UTS Law Students Society and the Faculty s intervarsity mooting program (ie. selected to represent the Faculty in one or more of the national or international intervarsity moot competitions such as the Gibbs Moot, the QUT Torts Moot, the AAT Moot, the Jessup Moot, etc). Why participate in the Price Moot? Participation in the Price Moot allows students to further develop their skills in, and understanding of, public international law, human rights law, media law and the legal and policy issues arising from restrictions on speech and media content, particularly as they apply to the internet and communications technologies, under the guidance of experts in these areas. You also have the opportunity to receive training to develop their communication and advocacy skills and to demonstrate these skills before members of the judiciary, academics, and legal practitioners in the oral rounds. This is a skill many employers now prioritise when recruiting. Participation in the competition also allows students to network with academics, practitioners and members of the judiciary from around the world. This has, in previous years, opened up employment opportunities for students participating in the competition. Selection Process The selection of the team will take place by way of a three round process: 1. Written Application: Fill in the form attached and return it as directed by the due date (see final page of application for due date). These applications will be reviewed and a short list of applicants will be compiled. 2. Submission of written work: Short-listed applicants may be required to submit a piece of written work that has been previously submitted for assessment in a Law subject at UTS. In determining which written work to submit should take in to consideration the mark/grade awarded and the extent to which the work demonstrates your research and writing skills. 3. Interview: Short-listed applicants may be required to attend an interview with a selection panel. The selection panel may consist of the coach and other academics and former Price mooters. If there is an interview, you will be asked questions about why you want to do the 4
Price moot and your ability to make the necessary commitment from September 2017 to April 2018. You may also be required to identify, and make a 10-minute presentation to the selection panel, on the issues that you can identify as being raised by the 2016/17 problem question (the Rules and question are available at http://pricemootcourt.socleg.ox.ac.uk/rules/ ) Students considering applying are encouraged to read information about the competition, including the Rules, available at http://pricemootcourt.socleg.ox.ac.uk/ At the discretion of the team coach and Faculty Adviser, shortlisted applicants may be asked to attend a further interview. 4. Offers of a place in the team may be made to up to 4 students. The selection panel will consider students (in no particular order): Academic record Demonstrated research skills Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of media law, privacy and freedom of expression Knowledge of public international law and/or human rights law Mooting and public speaking experience, including the ability to express thoughts clearly, including thinking on your feet. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team Ability to make a commitment to the team. Please note that participation in the moot requires a commitment that is not considered compatible with participation in the Summer Clerkship program. Students considering applying for the moot who have also applied for a Summer Clerkship or will have full-time work commitment must discuss this with the coach during the selection process and students may be advised to wait to apply for the moot at a future time when they do not have these commitments. Decisions of the selection panel are final and are not subject to review. Other information The Faculty of Law will fund the team s registration fees, fares and accommodation costs should the team make the international rounds in Oxford. 5
Monroe E. Price International Media Law Moot Competition Application Form 2017-18 Competition Contact Information Name Student ID Number Address Mobile: Home or Work: UTS Email address (Please note all email communications MUST be through your UTS student email account and emails from other email accounts will NOT be accepted. This is to ensure privacy is maintained.) 6
Academic (note: all questions must be answered fully) Course Enrolled in Year/Stage The 5 Law subjects that you achieved highest mark/grade 1. Mark/Grade Achieved 2. 3. 4. 5. Detail any academic prizes won: Have you completed or are you currently undertaking a media law subject, Public International Law, Australian Civil Liberties Law or International Human Rights Law. What is your GPA or WAM: Note: this information MUST be provided by the student with the application. If so, which, and result obtained: 7
Mooting experience Detail any mooting experience: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Detail any debating or public speaking experience: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Availability (note: these questions must be answered in full) Do you have any other commitments between October 2017 and April 2018 that may in any way interfere with your ability to prepare for and participate in the competition (including holidays, work, other commitments) Have you applied for or have been accepted for a Summer Clerkship over Summer 2017/18: 8
Detail any other commitments, including planned holidays, etc that may interfere with your ability to prepare for or participate in the competition: Do you work full-time or will you have a full time job in the period October 2017 April 2018? Other Information Briefly explain why you would like to compete in the Price Moot competition: Is there any other information that you consider relevant and would like considered by the selection panel: 9
Important: Please ensure you have answered ALL questions before submitting. By submitting the application form, you are acknowledging that you have read the information in this application form and that the answers and information provided is correct. Incomplete or false answers may result in the applicant being excluded from consideration for, or removed from, the team. Return the completed application form by email by 5pm Monday 23 October, 2017 to Alexa Dodd at alexa.dodd@uts.edu.au or Geoff Holland at geoffry.holland@uts.edu.au If you have any questions, email Geoff Holland at geoffry.holland@uts.edu.au 10