Year 11 and 12 ASHS Mooting Club members in action at the recent ASLM Competition at Diocesan College. 

This year, I had the opportunity to co-run our schools mooting team as part of the ASLM (Aotearoa Secondary Schools Law Moot), and it’s been one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences of my high school years. 

I first joined mooting in Year 12, after discovering it through friends at school who had previously done it. I was really interested in law and psychology at the time, and now plan to study law and business at university, so it really aligned with my interests and goals. 

Mooting is essentially mock court, but it’s far more intense (and way more fun) than it sounds. You choose/ are assigned a role within your team of four, like a barrister, witness, cross examiner, or chief examiner. ASLM provides fictional but realistic case files, complete with legislation and case law, and assigns either prosecution or defence within teams. You then argue your case in front of university law students who act as real judges, competing against other schools in Auckland at Diocesan School for Girls. Everyone stays in character, the cases are full of twists and red herrings, and you’re expected to know your role inside and out. 

This year, Grace, Heather and I ran Albany’s mooting committee, with the support of our wonderful teachers June and Reuben. As a team, we planned and led weekly meetings once cases were released, helping students break down the legal issues, write arguments, and prepare their roles. We would often meet informally outside of school too, revising lines, testing strategy, and sending each other last minute ideas. 

Our team environment was one of the best parts of the whole experience. The after school sessions became something we all looked forward to. Heated case debates, collaboration, Fruit Bursts (provided by Zuriel, our Team 2 Barrister, thank you!), and usually everyone talking over each other in the best way possible. Students from different year levels and corners of the school came together, and by the end of the season we were not just teammates, but friends. 

My favourite role was cross examiner. I loved crafting sneaky but strategic lines of questioning, where I had to word things just right to get an answer I needed without being subjected to, or the witness catching on to where I was leading them, especially when the judge sees it.  My favourite case was definitely the R v RA trial – we felt it could go either way with the law and facts, and we loved the challenge. We ended up winning that round! In our final round, I occupied the role of chief examiner, and even raised an objection the judge agreed with. A small win, but it felt great.

One of the major highlights this year was being invited to Meredith Connell, one of Auckland’s leading law firms, for an ASLM workshop. The event was run by ASLM coordinators, one focused on barristers and witnesses, and one for examiners. It was welcoming, inspiring, and honestly surreal. There was pizza, drinks, and a room full of future lawyers learning directly from people already in the profession.

The entire experience confirmed that law is what I want to do. It gave me real confidence in public speaking, improved my academic writing, and helped me think more critically – all while having so much fun. Speaking with judges and university students made everything feel accessible and motivating. The feedback we received was insightful, and I even made connections that I hope to carry with me into uni and beyond.

The ASLM community is what made it truly special. Every round – win or lose – felt supportive. Dio was an incredible host, and the national community of mooters was welcoming, passionate, and just the right mix of serious and hilarious. Special shoutout to the witnesses who fully committed to their roles – the props, outfits, and dramatic monologues had us laughing every time.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Mooting taught me how to think like a lawyer, speak with confidence, and lead as part of a team. It brought together students who never would’ve crossed paths otherwise, and created a space where ideas, banter, and brilliant arguments could thrive.

To anyone even considering joining next year: do it. You’ll gain skills, friendships, and memories that last far beyond the courtroom!

By Maddy Weaver (Year 13)