Ashurst Women’s and Gender Diverse Individuals’ (WAGDI) Moot
The original Women’s Moot was organised in 2015 in response to a historical lack of female representation at the Bar and was designed to foster confidence in women, so they may continue to thrive and push for change within a traditionally cis male industry. In 2024, the Women’s Moot scope of inclusivity has expanded to hold space for all gender-diverse individuals who have similarly experienced gender-based discrimination, hence the name change to Ashurst Women’s and Gender Diverse Indivuals’ Moot (WAGDI Moot). We welcome participation and applications from all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary and gender-diverse identifying people and trans men who have been left under-represented in the legal landscape and feel comfortable within a predominantly women-identifying space.
The 2024 Ashurst WAGDI Moot is a joint initiative by the Competitions, Women’s and Queer portfolios. This competition is open to JD students in all year levels and first year students are encouraged to participate. Teams consist of 2-3 students: two barristers and one optional instructing solicitor.
The Moot uses one problem throughout the whole competition, giving students ample opportunity to learn from their mistakes to improve their legal and oral advocacy skills.
Competition Details
Teams must consist of a Senior and Junior Counsel. An Instructing Solicitor who assists in legal research and preparation of the written submissions (does not speak during the oral submissions) is optional, but encouraged. Team members may rotate positions during the course of the competition so that everyone gets a chance to make oral submissions.
Time commitment: For ALL competitors, the moot problem will be released 1:00PM, two days prior to your moot. As mooting is research based, expect to spend some time reading the problem, undertaking some research and preparing for the moot.
Team size: 2–3 members
Number of rounds: 6
Semester 2 Schedule: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Week 2: 31/07 and 01/08
Week 4: 14/08 and 15/08
Week 6: 28/08 and 29/08
Week 8: 11/09 | Quarter-Final
Week 9: 19/09 | Semi-Final
Week 10: 02/10 | Grand Final
Attire: Business
Delivery: All internal competitions in 2024 will follow an in person format.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kate Thomson and Audrey Vanni at womensmoot@mulss.com.
Key Documents
2022 Competitors’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Judges’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Scoresheet - Click here to access
Exemplar Written Submission- Click here to download.
2023 Competitor Training Workshop - Click here to download.
2023 Results
Winners Selina Li, Sonia Li, and Olivia Nguyen
Runners Up Jessica Cabral and Abi Kozman
Congratulations to Selina Li, Sonia Li, and Olivia Nguyen for winning the 2023 Allens WAGDI Moot.
Congratulations to Jessica Cabral and Abi Kozman who were the Runners Up of the Competition.
Thank you to our two co-opts Aoife Whelan and Molly Xiao for running the competition this year and all those who participated!
Past winners
2023– Selina Li, Sonia Li and Olivia Nguyen
2022 – Amy Leembruggen, Jessica Xia and Fiona Xia
2021 – Anjelika Cohen, Danielle Feng and Sophia Kimmins
2020 – Tess Varney, Ella White and Lucy MacLachlan
2019 – Andriana Georgiou and Elizabeth Georgiou
2018 – Rose Barnsley, Sharmera Kesavan and Phoebe Scott
2017 – Tea Liu, Huda Waraich and Lily Wright
2016 – Panagiota Houpis, Emily Mackay and Georgie Tweedy