Murdoch’s
School of Law is ensuring its students have the opportunity to argue hypothetical
legal cases and gain valuable experience before they enter a real courtroom
in their state-ofthe- art Law School.
The impressive electronically equipped Moot Court is one of a number of facilities in the law school building, which opened last year. The multi-purpose facility is used for mooting, mock trials and lectures.
A number of high profile lectures have taken place in the Moot Court. Most recently it was host to The Hon Justice Michael Kirby, Justice of the High Court of Australia, who lectured students on the use of international human rights instruments in constitutional adjudication.
The law building boasts state-of-the-art lecture rooms, computer laboratories for law students, a cafe and a boardroom. The School of Law’s pro bono law clinic, SCALES, is located within the building. Dean of Law, Professor Gabriel Moens said the building provided the law student body with the excellent facilities required for a handson approach to the study of law.
“Law students need to participate in mooting competitions to gain practical experience,” he said. “We also provide students with access to an excellent computer laboratory, which is constantly used for the purpose of retrieving relevant legal information
” Professor Moens joined Murdoch three months ago. “The Law School should be a vibrant place dedicated to the development of first-rate undergraduate and post-postgraduate programs. The School offers an intellectually and professionally stimulating experience preparing students for the domestic practice of law.”
Mark Newman - CEO - City of Mandurah
“The City of Mandurah is delighted that Murdoch University has established a new campus in Mandurah and we are confident that our support of the University will help to provide educational opportunities for local students and to support the growth of successful businesses in the region.”
“We offer opportunities to our students to experience a truly international education enabling them to engage in the international practice of law.”
“Students are able to acquire advanced writing, research and advocacy skills and develop lasting, and profitable networks with overseas colleagues.”
From next year Murdoch Law School will host the International Maritime Arbitration Moot. The competition, which will climax in simulated arbitration hearings in June 2006, attracts students from Indonesia, the Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and the United States. From October 2006, Professor Moens will train a team of five students to participate in the prestigious Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna.
Professor Moens said it was also necessary for the Law School to communicate effectively with the legal profession and to encourage practicing lawyers to be involved in the University’s teaching and research programs.
Murdoch’s reputation as one of the best law schools in Australia can be largely attributed to the founding Dean of Law Professor Ralph Simmonds who has become the first academic to be appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court in Western Australia.
Professor Simmonds has more than 30 years experience in the law, and earned an international reputation as a leading corporate legal scholar.
He is well known for his incredibly broad legal understanding, which has been strengthened by his role as the Chair of the WA Law Reform Commission and the 14 years he was a scholar and teacher at Murdoch University.
