Courtney Parnell, a Paralegal at Moray & Agnew Lawyers, has been selected as one of four students to represent the University of Newcastle at the largest moot court competition in Australia.

Mooting is the oldest form of legal training for law advocates. The Annual Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot is open to teams across the country and held over four days in September. Winners in this competition win prize money and usually go on to compete in international mooting competitions.

Running since 2011, the moot is hosted by Victoria Law School in the College of Law & Justice at Victoria University. To ensure its authenticity and relevance to students’ learning, the moot problem is designed to closely resemble a real-life dispute and the moot judges are mainly legal practitioners. Each team can moot four times in the general rounds and students are given constructive feedback to help them reflect on their performance and incrementally develop the relevant advocacy skills and their overall delivery of arguments.

Courtney is in the third year of a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Politics) and a Bachelor of Law (Hons). When she’s not studying, Courtney works in Moray & Agnew’s Newcastle office as a Paralegal in the insurance team.

Partner and Head of Insurance, Peter Utiger said the team is proud of Courtney’s achievement.

“Being chosen as part of the university’s team for this prestigious competition is testament to Courtney’s hard work, skills and talent,” Peter said.

“She joins a number of Moray & Agnew’s current and former staff who have been selected to represent the University of Newcastle in this competition over the past few years. We wish Courtney and the team all the best!”

The (all female) University of Newcastle’s 2018 team comprises students Courtney Parnell, Kate Falkenmire, Charlotte Walker and Hannah Williams.

IMAGE | Paralegal at Moray & Agnew Lawyers, Courtney Parnell.