Monash University takes on the 2025 Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot
From Monday 22 September through to Thursday 25 September, two stellar teams from Monash University competed in an intensive Moot on Contract Law.
Founded and organised by Victoria University, in honour of iconic Jurist and former High Court Justice Micheal Kirby, the Michael Kirby Contract Law Moot offered selected Law students the unique opportunity to take their legal skills outside the classroom and into the real world.
Find out more about mooting with Monash Law
The grand-final on Thursday 25 September, took place at the Melbourne Federal Court and comprised a fiery showdown between competitors from the University of Sydney and the University of Queensland.
Junior counsel of the Claimant presenting in front of the Arbitral Panel. Photograph: Sithmi Konara
The Arbitral Panel presiding consisted of Hon. Micheal Kirby AC CMG himself alongside other distinguished names of the Australian and Victorian legal sphere.
While Monash University did not progress to the Grand final, one Monash team consisting of Sithmi Konara, Lana Cipurovski, Kiran Banerjee and Thomas McIntosh were awarded the Best Written Memorandum for the Respondent at the conclusion of the Award Ceremony.
L to R: Suzanna Pejic (Competition Organiser), Kiran Banerjee, Lana Cirpovuski., Sithmi Konara and Dean Lidia Xynas (VU). Photograph: Victoria University official competition photographer
The Groundwork: zoom calls and shared google docs
The preparation for Monash University began early with competitors being contacted by Chief Moot Coach, William Lye KC OAM in winter break.
Semester 2 in LAW4805 was off to a roaring start with the Written Memorandum for the Claimant being due on the 15th of August. The race was on for Monash 1 and 2. Each took care of the other, passing through resources, research, tips and ideas. Everyone was in it to win it.
As the end of the month approached, so did the second submission deadline. On the morning of 31 August, two Memorandums had been handed in – centre justified, typed in Arial, font size 12, pinpoint references checked and double-checked.
L to R: Thomas McIntosh, Lana Cipurovski, Kiran Banerjee, Kiran Banerjee, Sithmi Konara in the elevator of Foley’s List. Photograph: Sithmi Konara
Practice makes progress
The weeks leading up to the start of the Competition, mooters relied heavily on the guiding light of LAW4805 Alumni and Chief Coach William Lye KC OAM.
William kindly organised practice sessions for each team. In the first practice, competitors appeared before VCAT sessional member David Kim. Competitors in the second practice appeared before Nicholas D’Arcy, a Solicitor in the Office of General Counsel.
Taking on the feedback of Mr. Kim, Mr. D’Arcy and Mr. Lye, Mooters headed into the weekend before the Competition where they presented one last time before LAW4805 Mentors Serena Malatesta, Alex Zing and Virginia Duker.
Reassured by their advice and affirmations, competitors geared up for the week ahead.
Find out more about mooting with Monash Law
Growth in character and scholarship
The week of the 22nd of September, 2025 proved to be one of learning, fiery competition and connecting with friends, old and new.
Monash competitors met at the stately Law building of Victoria University at 8:00am sharp to register for the week.
Victoria University were gracious hosts, treating competitors with cheery smiles with a bountiful buffet breakfast. The competition was off to a quick start with both Monash teams being scheduled to compete in the morning.
All opponents proved to be worthy competitors and the Monash teams reacted with agility to the feedback of the judges. Their decades of professional experience was much appreciated; It gave competitors a chance to envision themselves years ahead into their legal career.
A Finale at the Melbourne Federal Court
The competitors awaited in keen anticipation in the courtyard of the Victoria University Law School for the announcement of progression into the quarter finals. Monash university was not progressing. Competitors swallowed their disappointment and made the collective decision to make the most of the rest of the week and learn as much as possible from the practitioners and other competitors.
A very special thank you to Mr. Lye for his endless patience, grace and mentorship in the coaching process – for lending the conference room of Foley’s List for team preparation, for countless zoom calls of preparatory advice and post-performance debriefs and for a firm and unclenching belief in the talent of the LAW4805 Cohort.
Thursday 25 September proved to be one of prosperity to Monash mooters. After a thrilling Grand final between University of Sydney and University of Queensland at the Melbourne Federal Court, Victoria University conducted their Awards Ceremony where Monash Team 2 was awarded the prize for the Best Written Memorandum for Respondent.
L to R: Kiran Banerjee, Sithmi Konara, Lana Cipurovski, Pinidu Jayasekera (Melbourne University JD Candidate). Photograph: Victoria University official competition photographer
Looking to the future
The win was celebrated, with champagne, among old friends and new. The Monash Kirby competitors can easily attest to the immense growth and bountiful opportunities that lie within being a part of the LAW4805 cohort – it is a unit that gives students the unique opportunity to hone in written legal communication skills, brush up on knowledge of particular areas of the Law and communicate this knowledge and ideas to professionals with vast experience. We highly recommended applying to be a part of the 2026 Cohort.