Title

Reason to celebrate for Notre Dame’s School of Law

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Winter 3-7-2008

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

Notre Dame law students, Justin Geoghegan, Pia Castelli, Natasja Pollemans and Emma Douglas were big winners at this year's International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot.

This prestigious competition sees teams from Australia, America, Indonesia, New Zealand, Malaysia and China compete before panels of professional arbitrators and maritime lawyers.

The Notre Dame team remained undefeated throughout the general rounds of the competition, and ultimately competed in the Grand Final on Tuesday 1 July, at the Western Australian Federal Court.

The Notre Dame team was narrowly defeated in the Grand Final by University of Queensland with only a single point separating the two teams. His Honour Justice Robert French said when presenting the award for runner-up, “There was simply ‘a grain of sand’ separating two excellent teams.”

Adding to the team's success, Justin Geoghegan was awarded the Jaya Prakesh Award for the best speaker in the finals. This is the second time a Notre Dame student has won this award.

The team was coached by Associate Dean of Law, Professor Phil Evans and final year law student, Laura Coffey. They both commented on the difficulty of the competition which requires teams to prepare for five months.

They also commented on the generosity of members of the law school staff and local legal profession who volunteered to act as arbitrators during practice sessions for the students.

Not only were the Notre Dame team big winners at the moot, but the students also enjoyed the social aspects of the competition.

Dean of the School of Law, Associate Professor, Jane Power said, “The students are to be congratulated on their dedication, professionalism and for being such amazing ambassadors for Notre Dame over the course of the competition."

Media contact: Michelle Ebbs 08 9433 0610, 0408 959 138

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