Junior
Criminal Law
Moot
An entry-level criminal law moot that introduces students to courtroom advocacy in a friendly, supportive environment — no prior mooting experience required.
2026 Grand Final Winners
Congratulations to our 2026 champions. We are proud to recognise the students who prevailed in each division of this year’s Junior Criminal Law Moot.
Foundations Division
- Daniah Al-Bayati
- Julina Banoub
- Lara Caridi
Beginner Mooters Division
- Omar Aslan
- Sarah Al-Nuaymi
- Ahmed Dhaibi
2026 status
Concluded
Registration closed
18 September 2026
Competition
5–10 October 2026
Format
Teams of two or three
Your first step
into advocacy.
The Junior Criminal Law Moot is designed for students who want to build confidence, develop advocacy skills, and experience mooting in a supportive environment.
It is an excellent opportunity for students who are new to mooting or looking to strengthen their oral advocacy, legal reasoning and written submissions. Participants engage with a criminal law problem, work collaboratively in teams, and receive constructive feedback from legal professionals and academics.
No prior mooting experience is required. We strongly encourage students who are curious, keen to learn, or looking to try advocacy for the first time to register.
What you take away
Advocacy you can practise
Stand up, address a bench, answer questions from it, and learn how to think on your feet in a setting built for first-timers.
Feedback that sticks
Legal professionals and academics judge every round and give constructive, specific feedback on your submissions and delivery.
A pathway to more
The Junior Moot is a valuable first step towards WSLSA's later-year internal competitions and selection for external moots.
Two divisions
In 2026, WSLSA ran the Junior Criminal Law Moot across two divisions, to better support students at different stages of their law degree and mooting development.
Foundations Division
Intended for first- and second-year law students.
Suitable for students looking to build confidence, develop foundational advocacy skills and experience mooting in a friendly and supportive environment.
Beginner Mooters Division
Intended for later-year law students who have limited or no prior mooting experience.
This division recognises that students discover mooting at different stages of their studies. Later-year students new to advocacy competitions are encouraged to participate, build confidence and develop their skills in a supportive setting.
WSLSA may review registrations and, where required, allocate students to the appropriate division to ensure the competition remains fair, accessible and development-focused.
From registration to grand final
-
Register
Entrants registered by 18 September, as a team of two or three or individually.
-
Teams and divisions confirmed
Individual entrants were placed in teams, and WSLSA confirmed each team’s division.
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Problem released
Teams received the criminal law problem and prepared written and oral submissions with guidance from the Competitions team.
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Moot week
Rounds ran from 5 to 10 October, finishing with a grand final in each division.
Key details
The 2026 competition ran from 5 to 10 October, concluding with the Grand Finals on 10 October.
Eligibility
Open to law students new to mooting or early in their advocacy development
Divisions
Foundations Division and Beginner Mooters Division
Format
Teams of two or three students
Registration
Entrants registered as a team or individually
Competition
5–10 October 2026
Registration closed
18 September 2026
With our sincere thanks
The 2026 Junior Criminal Law Moot was made possible by the generosity, expertise and time of our judges, academics and supporters. WSLSA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.
- Judge Imad Abdul-Karim
- Caitlin Akthar
- Michael Morgan
- Dr Shreeya Smith
- Oliver Oxley & Nala
- Margaret Malak
- Dr Meda Couzens
- Dr Stephenson Chow
- Dr Suzana Nashkova
- Dr Rangika Palliyaarachchi
- Dr Sue Armstrong
- Dr Engi Messih
- Professor Michael Head
- Ellen Teece
- Molly Quinnell
The 2026 competition has concluded
Registrations for the 2026 Junior Criminal Law Moot are closed. Thank you to all competitors and everyone who supported the competition. For future opportunities, subscribe to competition updates below or contact competitions@wslsa.com.au.
Your next opportunity
could start here.
Sign up for WSLSA competition updates, including upcoming competitions, workshops and ways to get involved.
