AUTLSS Competitions 2026
Competitions are a great way to develop the skills you will need when you become a lawyer, while you are still at law school. Each year, AUTLSS puts on five key competitions.
They are Witness Examination, Client Interviewing, Negotiations, Mooting and Paper Presentation.
Most of the competitions (except WitEx and Paper Presentation) have junior and senior versions to ensure they are accessible for all year levels. All students are welcome - and you don't need to be a pro to enter, just give it a go! Information about when and where the competitions are to be held will be posted on AUTLSS media channels throughout the year. If you win the senior / open competition, an opportunity to represent AUT an Nationals awaits. (To be hosted by Canterbury University in 2024 - we will send eight competitors across the five competitions).
Negotiations
Test your strategy, persuasion, and problem-solving skills in our Negotiation Competition. This event places you in realistic legal scenarios where you and your partner represent a client’s interests and work towards reaching an agreement with the opposing side. Success isn’t about “winning” it’s about preparation, communication, and finding practical, creative solutions. Its a great opportunity to build yourself and also looks great on your CV.
Pre-lims: 2nd March
Semi-finals: 3rd March
Finals: 5th March
5:30PM (All rounds)
Room: TBC
Witness Examination (WitEx)
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Your chance to act as counsel, question witnesses and to think on your feet in a legal setting.
Gain hands on experience beyond the classroom! This competition is a fun and supportive way to challenge yourself and meet other law students. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to give it a go.
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Pre-lims: 23rd March
Semi-finals: 24th March
Finals: 26th March
​City Campus (Room: TBC)
Client Interviewing
Build the practical skills every great lawyer needs in our Client Interviewing Competition. This event challenges you to meet with a “client”, identify key legal issues, gather relevant facts, and demonstrate empathy, professionalism, and clear communication all within a realistic legal scenario. A fantastic learning experience no prior experience is required and it definitely spices up your CV.
Pre-lims: 12th May
Semi-finals: 13th May
Finals: 14th May
5:30PM (All rounds)
City Campus. Room: TBC
Mooting
The Junior Moot is designed for those newer to mooting, providing a supportive environment to learn the fundamentals of case analysis, structuring arguments, and courtroom etiquette. The Senior Moot offers a more advanced challenge, requiring deeper legal reasoning, refined advocacy, and strategic engagement with the bench. Both competitions are excellent opportunities to strengthen confidence, enhance public speaking, and apply classroom knowledge in practice. Whether you’re taking your first step into mooting or looking to refine your skills, you’ll gain valuable experience and feedback from practitioners.
Junior Mooting
Pre-lims: 13th July
Semi-finals: 14th July
Finals: 16th July
5:30PM (All rounds)
City Campus Room: TBC
Senior Mooting
Pre-lims: 4th May
Semi-finals: 5th May
Finals: 7th May
5:30PM (All rounds)
City Campus Room: TBC
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Paper Presentation
Showcase your research, analysis, and presentation skills in our Paper Presentation Competition. This event invites students to explore a legal topic of interest, develop a concise written paper, and present their ideas to a panel of judges. It’s an opportunity to engage deeply with the law, construct persuasive arguments, and communicate complex concepts clearly and confidently. Open to students of all experience levels, bring your ideas, your curiosity, and your voice to the conversation.
Pre-lims: 1st June
Semi-finals: 2nd June
Finals: 3rd June
City Campus Room: TBC
