North Queensland firm McKays Solicitors is reviving the long-standing Criminal Law Moot Competition for Legal Studies Students this year.
The event was previously hosted by the Mackay District Law Association and later by Central Queensland University.
The competition, which is open to year 10 and 11 students, will take place on 3 November at the Mackay Magistrates Court with the grand final presided over by a local magistrate.
McKays Solicitors Director and Principal Marcus Hahn said the initiative was part of the firm’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the Mackay community.
“We’ve built a strong reputation of supporting local families and businesses, and it’s just as important for us to invest in the next generation,” Marcus said.
“These students will be our future lawyers and giving them this experience plants the seed for a lifelong passion for justice.”
This year’s competition will welcome four local high schools, each represented by a two-person team.
Participating schools will be encouraged to embrace the moot as a full-day excursion for their legal studies classes, allowing them to observe live Magistrates Court matters between competition rounds and gain insight into how the justice system operates.
In the lead-up, lawyers from the firm will visit each participating school to run workshops that help students refine their advocacy skills and gain insights into the daily life as a lawyer.
McKays criminal law solicitor Chloe Daniel, who will play an important role in the moot by mentoring this year’s competitors, said the competition was especially meaningful for her.
“I competed in the Central Queensland University High School Moot in 2019 as a year 11 student at Whitsunday Anglican School,” Chloe said.
“Marcus was my mentor back then and now he’s my supervising solicitor in the firm. Standing in the same courtroom, but this time as a lawyer helping students, feels like things have come full circle.
“I really enjoyed competing in the competition in Year 11, and I’m excited that we can now give this opportunity to our next generation of lawyers.”
Director Suzanne Brown said McKays was proud to offer a wide range of opportunities for aspiring legal professionals.
“We have a comprehensive work experience program for both high school and university students, and we actively employ a number of law students,” Suzanne said.
“For more than 20 years, our prestigious graduate program has provided a launchpad for talented young lawyers, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in their field. Initiatives like this moot competition are part of our commitment to supporting and developing local talent.”
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