Category Archives: Student Experience

Negotiations

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Rocky Lagudi and Mitchell Patel

Competing in the Novice LSS Negotiations Competition was our first experience in trying any sort of practical law competition. Without a doubt, participating was one of the best decisions we made, and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Negotiations was such a fun and challenging competition, and one that has allowed us to improve a variety of communication skills. What we enjoyed most was the art of balancing our client’s aims against those of the other side, so as to ultimately come out of the negotiation having achieved closer to our client’s desires than the other side. One thing that we certainly could never underestimate was the importance of probing questions, or having a well-timed break – something that we used in every negotiation throughout the whole competition, and which was vital to our success.

Throughout the competition, we learnt the importance of setting out an agenda, while also tempering this with the need to be flexible and composed as the negotiation inevitably took its own direction. Determining the best approach to take was always interesting, with interest-based negotiating really resonating with us. We made sure that prior to every negotiation we set out a best case and worst-case outcome for each aspect. This gave us the freedom and flexibility during the negotiation to find the balance in outcomes as we saw fit. Each round, we were faced with quite different facts and clients, so it was important to be open-minded and aware that the confidential facts from the other side always have the potential to throw a spanner in the works. It was also important to remember that we were representing the client and their aims, and as such, needed to keep emotions aside.

We are absolutely stoked to have won the Novice LSS Negotiations Competition, and look forward to trying our hand at the Senior level next year.

We would absolutely recommend having a go at any of the LSS Competitions. They are a great opportunity to hone your communication and legal skills in a very practical and realistic context!

Rocky is a second year Commerce/Law student. He is currently a Careers Director on the LSS, lives at Fenner Hall and DJs at Mooseheads. Mitchell is a third year Finance/Law student.

The Value of Studying Law Abroad

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Julia Faragher

Over this year’s winter break, I went to study Global Media and Communications Law at theUniversity of East Anglia International Summer School in Norwich, England. I was keen to start breaking into my electives after two and a half years of dictated law courses and also wanted to diversify my learning experience with some international exposure. I went overseas with high expectations, and somehow they were not just met but even exceeded.

Global Media and Communications Law covered topics such as Internet privacy, music
sampling, the role and responsibility of the press, smartphone wars and social activism. It was a really refreshing change to be able to take a course in such a specialised area of interest, especially since this topic is not currently offered at the ANU. The course was taught by eight different academics, so each of my teachers was lecturing on their expert area which I thought was a great strength of the course. It meant that every one of my academics was passionate about the area they were teaching and extremely qualified, as most of them held a PhD or were working towards a PhD on their expert topic.

As a photographer and a law student, it’s probably very unsurprising that my favourite topic was the legal implications of photography. I am always trying to find ways in which my Arts and Law degrees intersect, so this class was definitely a highlight. We discussed how recent developments in photography have created the need for privacy laws to adapt to new situations which may fall into legal grey areas. For example, an actor who walks to the supermarket to do their local grocery shop is definitely not in their private home, but they are also not at their place of public work. A rock star who takes their children to the park wishes to tell a photographer to stop taking photographs of their family outing, but the photographer believes they have freedom of expression.

The course also had more practical components than any of the ANU law courses that I have taken so far. It included two academic field trips to London to visit the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the Royal Courts of Justice, the Inns of Court and the Science Museum. It was exciting to be able to see where some of the cases that we were studying had actually been decided and helped teach us the hierarchy of different courts in the UK.

Additionally, a lot of the classwork was very practical. We often had debates in smaller
groups about contentious issues and workshopped particular definitions which ensured that we were all actively thinking about the course instead of half-heartedly listening to the lecturer. A great favourite of mine was our music sampling class, where the teacher brought in his drum kit and announced that we all had to have a go at playing or he would fail us (he was joking). He then also played us several music clips from the cases we were discussing to see if we could spot where they had sampled previously existing songs and decide whether or not we thought it constituted a substantial part of the original song.

It was also really fascinating to learn about a different jurisdiction. Given the global nature of not just the course, but the Internet as well, it did have an international dimension but it was mainly focused on the UK. I enjoyed learning about the different levels of the UK appeal system and the immense influence that EU law has on the UK system. It also opened my eyes to the changes that are most likely comparing as part of Brexit, and how the legal system might be in for a lot of work in order to fully separate the two.

Funnily enough, completing this elective also taught me that my compulsory courses are
actually necessary and valuable. This is due to the fact that the law overlaps in so many
different ways, including surfacing in a course about media law. Taking Torts allowed me to better engage in discussions about Internet privacy and taking Administrative Law meant that I could recite Australia’s position on freedom of information.

Overall, I very much enjoyed my time at UEA and would thoroughly recommend the course to anyone else interested in media or communications law. Studying abroad definitely opened up my perspective in so many different ways and taught me to better appreciate my own degree. Go forth and study widely, without fear.

Julia Faragher is a third year Arts/Law student and Publicity Director for the LSS. Photo is Julia’s own.

ALSA Competition Experience: Client Interview

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Alexandra Cornfield and Isabella Sorby
As two fourth-year law students, Bella and I are so glad we got involved with the
LSS Client Interview Competition in Semester One.
Not only did we gain invaluable practical legal skills, but we had fun competing
in both the LSS Competition and at ALSA, the national competition. What we
enjoyed most was getting to know different legal situations and gaining the ability
to read different clients.
We learnt throughout the competition that treating your client with respect was
the best thing you could do in creating a friendly and safe environment. Difficult
clients were inevitable, and making them happy and calm was a major objective for us. We made sure we put ourselves in the shoes of the client, quickly learning what it was they sought to gain from the interview. Each round we were faced with a completely different set of facts and a new client so flexibility was crucial. Adapting to new clients and each situation enabled us to change tactics when giving our advice to the client.
We were lucky enough to win the LSS Competition and progress to ALSA, which
was such a great week. Not only were we competing but we went to cocktail nights
and socials at Parliament House and the War Memorial. We left the competition
having had a great time and having come fifth which we were extremely proud of.
We would highly recommend getting involved with the LSS Competitions. It’s a
great way to further your legal skills and have some fun too!
Alexandra is a fourth year Law/International Relations student and Isabella
is a fourth year Law/Arts student

Oh La Law Ball

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Felicity Moran

Do you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of studious law students? It is the music of the people who will not get HD’s again. Yep that’s right. Law Ball 2017 was revolutionarily good. So good that I trust there were a few sore heads the next day.

The Biggest Law Ball in the Southern Hemisphere took place on Thursday the 3rd of August with over six-hundred ANU students donning their most ostentatious gowns and robes as they descended upon the QT Hotel. The 2017 theme, Versailles, ensured that the event was as decadent and extravagant as always, with guests partaking in frivolous dancing and feasting until 11PM.

This year Law Ball was generously sponsored by Allens and Linklaters. MJ Bale also generously dontated a $899 suit to be raffled off, with all proceeds going towards Cambodian NGO’s. The night could not have been a success without this sponsorship and also without the help of the incredible LSS Events team consisting of Lucy Price, Katharine Fu and Shiban Shahid!

This incredible trio dedicated over twenty hours pouring over Excel spreadsheets ensuring that tables were as preferenced as possible. But following the French revolutionary theme, it wouldn’t have been right if we didn’t whip out the guillotine and ‘chop, chop’ to table 57 and 58. We let them eat cake, by themselves, but luckily everyone was in good spirits and we’re grateful for their understanding.

Just like Marie and Louie, we kicked on to the Paris of the Southern Hemisphere. Civic. Acadz, also known as the better sibling of Moulin Rouge, pulled out all the stops and provided drinks including Head on the Blocks and Viva La Revolution.

Massive shout-out to all the committee who helped out both during the day and night, it couldn’t happen without you.

Thank you to everyone who came, we hope you had as an incredible night as we did! Merci beaucoup xx

Felicity is a second year Law/Business Administration student and current LSS VP (Events). 

Law in Action: Cambodia Outreach Project

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Felicity Brown

It was a privilege to be a part of the inaugural LSS Social Justice trip. Having returned I have a new perspective on international law, the operation of legal systems and non- government organisations. I also developed a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s culture and history and even learnt a bit of Khmer.

Before travelling to Cambodia we ran various fundraising initiatives selling chocolate boxes, bake sales and windscreen wiping at intersections. is was a great way to bring the team together and interact with the wider Canberra community. We were also fortunate to be invited to some events hosted by the local Khmer community in Canberra. We held classes with ANU PhD students on the history of the ECCC, current issues in Cambodia and language and culture classes. e team worked together to make contact with various non-government organisations and planned the itinerary together.

A er a year of preparation we boarded the plane to Cambodia. Upon arrival we met our tour guide and settled into our hotel. Our rst stop was Siem Reap where we visited the magni cent temples at the ancient city of Angkor om, but the highlight was watching sunset over Angkor Wat.

Our next stop was Battambang, where we met representatives from Hope for Cambodia Children, visited the local court, Legal Aid and Battambang University. It was inspiring to meet students who were passionate about their studies and committed to contributing their expertise to the development of Cambodia.

Finally, we travelled to Phonm Pehn. On our rst day we witnessed the ECCC in action. We were fortunate to speak to representatives from the co-prosecution, the defence, public a airs and victims support section. is was certainly a highlight of the trip and an eye opening experience for all students. Later in the a ernoon we spoke to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Cambodia. e following days we visited a number of NGOs including Legal Aid of Cambodia, Transparency International, e Handa Centre, LICADHO and the Cambodia Centre for Human Rights, where we discussed issues relating to corruption, fair trial rights and land rights.

A valuable lesson from this trip was the importance of education and leading with our hearts. Having being confronted with Cambodia’s tragic history, its struggle to recover and its current social justice issues, we were inspired by the local community who are committed to rebuilding their nation and continue to fight for justice in the face of many challenges. is was a truly invaluable, unforgettable experience that has made me re ect on ways in which I can use my degree to bene t others and resolve social justice issues not only in Australia but abroad.

Felicity studies LLB(Hons)/BIR and a Dip. Languages. She was Director of Social Justice in 2016 and was a tour leader along with Dan McNamara and Nic Bills. Her passions include human rights and the development of law in post con ict societies.