University mooting takes to high ground

More than 150 students will battle it out at Waikato University this month in the preliminary round of the 15th Secondary Schools' Mooting Competition.

Organised by Te Piringa " Waikato University's Faculty of Law, the competition will feature 68 teams from 35 schools this year.

Preliminaries in Hamilton will take place on the evenings on May 11, 12 and 13. There will also be preliminary rounds in New Plymouth and Invercargill.

Mooting is the presentation of a legal issue or problem against an opposing counsel and before a judge. They are a practical way to introduce students to skills lawyers use every day in practice.

Last year Hillcrest High's Olivia Maxwell, Emily Scrimgeour and Kate Hamilton won the competition.

This year a Hamilton-based legal firm McCaw Lewis Lawyers and Maori Law Society have provided additional awards and prizes. In addition to a $500 cash prize to the best mooter of the competition and $3000 scholarship prize to each member of the winning team provided by the University of Waikato, McCaw Lewis Lawyers is offering 2 and a half days work experience for all this year's finalists.

The semi-finals will be held on June 19, at Hamilton District Court and will be judged by a District Court Judge. The finals will take place at the Hamilton High Court on June 26, and will be judged by a High Court Judge.