Trying something new is one of the best parts about university: that’s just what Ulrika Yui Ting Li and Satkeerat Singh did when they decided to compete in the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Law Students' Society (LSS) Intervarsity Legal Technology Moot, reaching the semi-finals of the competition!

Among 15 teams from top law schools around the country, these Australian National University (ANU) College of Law students were the only ANU students to reach the semi-final, despite the competition being their first intervarsity moot.

“Achieving semi-finals in our first external moot is astonishing,” said Satkeerat, who has only participated in a single, internal novice moot before this competition.

“We credit our success to our coach, lecturer Dr Surendra Dayal, and to feedback from judges, all of whom have made our result possible. However, what matters more is the learning journey throughout the competition rather than the result. It is from our mistakes that we learn to better ourselves. We must never stop learning and embracing humility throughout life’s endeavours.

“As an international student studying remotely from Singapore, this competition was extremely challenging. I look forward to returning on campus and doing ANU proud again.”

“I was honoured to be selected to represent the ANU in the UTS LSS Intervarsity Legal Technology Moot,” said Ulrika.

“As a first-time mooter, I had very few clues of what mooting is about, but I was grateful for all the support given to me by my coach and the competition judges as I develop my advocacy skills.”

Satkeerat and Ulrika strongly encourage more law students who do not yet have experience with mooting to participate in these competitions. They’re also looking forward to participating in future moots!

“Advocacy is an elusive and incredibly challenging skill to master. There are no secrets to winning a case other than humility and hard work. Many students have stellar grades, but how many have character and can think on their feet, as a lawyer needs to? It is the intellectually stimulating and thrilling elements of advocacy which will draw me back for future competitions,” said Satkeerat.

Learn about future mooting opportunities through the ANU Law Students’ Society, and on the ANU College of Law website.