Congratulations to ANU Law students Alison Cook, Will Jones, Ethan Zhu and Phoebe Chalmers, who won the 2026 Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot in Melbourne last week. Alison Cook was also awarded Best Oralist in both the Grand Final and the General Rounds.

 “Winning the Kirby Moot means the world to us, and we are absolutely thrilled,” said the ANU team.

“It’s also a testament to the collegial and supportive mooting culture that the ANU Law School promotes and fosters,” they added.

The Kirby Moot is one of the country’s largest and most prestigious mooting competitions. This year, it brought together 21 teams from across Australia to tackle a problem inspired by a real-life dispute. The Grand Final was held at the Federal Court in Victoria before a six-member bench, including the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG.

The team was coached by ANU law school alumni and Sessional Academics, Felix Archibald and Daniel Marns, who worked tirelessly to sharpen the team’s legal advocacy skills and arguments. They said:

“The team showed commendable work ethic and exceptional legal ability. They were a pleasure to coach, and their success is richly deserved.”

This year’s moot problem was inspired by Timothy Chalamet’s comments about ballet and opera and considered whether those comments breached a fictional agreement requiring him to promote a Melbourne performing arts institution.

The team also extends its thanks to the many former and current students, barristers and ANU Law academics who generously judged practice moots.

The Kirby Moot team is one moot court competition on offer under the Law, Mooting and Advocacy elective within the ANU Law School curriculum, showcasing the practical skills which an ANU law degree hones and promotes.

“It was wonderful to meet so many brilliant law students and to be judged by some of the leading practitioners in the country,” the team shared.

Congratulations again to Alison, Will, Ethan, and Phoebe on this outstanding result!

Learn more about the Kirby Moot here.