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.
Registration
Open now
Registration closes
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 interested in building confidence, developing advocacy skills and experiencing 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. Students who are curious, keen to learn, or looking to try advocacy for the first time are strongly encouraged 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 the usual first step towards WSLSA's later-year internal competitions and selection for external moots.
Two divisions
In 2026, WSLSA is running 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
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Register
Submit the expression of interest by 18 September, as a team of two or three or on your own.
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Teams and divisions confirmed
Individual entrants are placed in a team, and WSLSA confirms your division.
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Problem released
Teams receive the criminal law problem and prepare written and oral submissions with guidance from the Competitions team.
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Moot week
Rounds run from 5 to 10 October, finishing with a grand final in each division.
Key details
Dates are indicative and confirmed through WSLSA communications.
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
Register as a team or individually
Competition
5–10 October 2026
Registration closes
18 September 2026
Expression of interest
Register as a team or individually — individual entrants will be placed in a team. WSLSA may allocate students to the appropriate division after reviewing registrations.
Form not loading? Open the expression of interest form in a new tab.
Registrations are now open
Registrations close on 18 September 2026. No prior mooting experience is required — register as a team or individually, and individual entrants will be placed in a team. Questions are always welcome at 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.
