Ashurst Women’s and Gender Diverse Individuals’ (WAGDI) Moot
The original Women’s Moot was organised in 2015 in response to a historical lack of female representation at the Bar and was designed to foster confidence in women, so they may continue to thrive and push for change within a traditionally cis male industry. In 2025, the Women’s Moot scope of inclusivity has expanded to hold space for all gender-diverse individuals who have similarly experienced gender-based discrimination, hence the name change to Ashurst Women’s and Gender Diverse Indivuals’ Moot (WAGDI Moot). We welcome participation and applications from all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary and gender-diverse identifying people and trans men who have been left under-represented in the legal landscape and feel comfortable within a predominantly women-identifying space.
The 2025 Ashurst WAGDI Moot is a joint initiative by the Competitions, Women’s and Queer portfolios. This competition is open to JD students in all year levels and first year students are encouraged to participate. Teams consist of 2-3 students: two barristers and one optional instructing solicitor.
The Moot uses one problem throughout the whole competition, giving students ample opportunity to learn from their mistakes to improve their legal and oral advocacy skills.
Competition Details
Teams must consist of a Senior and Junior Counsel. An Instructing Solicitor who assists in legal research and preparation of the written submissions (does not speak during the oral submissions) is optional, but encouraged. Team members may rotate positions during the course of the competition so that everyone gets a chance to make oral submissions.
Time commitment: For ALL competitors, the moot problem will be released 1:00PM, two days prior to your moot. As mooting is research based, expect to spend some time reading the problem, undertaking some research and preparing for the moot.
Team size: 2–3 members
Number of rounds: 6
Semester 2 Schedule: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Week 3: 13/08 and 14/08
Week 5: 27/08 and 28/08
Week 7: 10/09 and 11/09
Week 9: 24/09 | Quarter-Final
Week 10: 09/10 | Semi-Final
Week 11: 15/10 | Grand Final
Attire: Business
Delivery: All internal competitions in 2025 will follow an in person format.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Eleanor MacLaren and Mila Simkus at WAGDImoot@mulss.com.
Key Documents
2024 Competitors’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2024 Competitor Training Workshop - Click here to download.
2022 Judges’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Scoresheet - Click here to access
Exemplar Written Submission- Click here to download.
Congratulations to our 2024 Winners and thank you!
A huge congratulations to our 2024 winners: Mila Simkus, Eleanor MacLaren, and Olivia Gliddon - on your outstanding achievement!
Well done as well to our 2024 Runners-Up: Harnoor Kaur and, Shinjini Shrivistava.
A heartfelt thank you to our 2024 Co-opts, Kate Thomson and Y, for your invaluable contributions throughout the year.
Thank you to all competitors for making this season exceptional!
Past winners
2024 – Mila Simkus, Eleanor MacLaren and Olivia Gliddon
2023 – Selina Li, Sonia Li and Olivia Nguyen
2022 – Amy Leembruggen, Jessica Xia and Fiona Xia
2021 – Anjelika Cohen, Danielle Feng and Sophia Kimmins
2020 – Tess Varney, Ella White and Lucy MacLachlan
2019 – Andriana Georgiou and Elizabeth Georgiou
2018 – Rose Barnsley, Sharmera Kesavan and Phoebe Scott
2017 – Tea Liu, Huda Waraich and Lily Wright
2016 – Panagiota Houpis, Emily Mackay and Georgie Tweedy