Kirby Cup Law Reform Competition

The Kirby Cup Law Reform Competition encourages law students to participate in a practical way in the process of law reform. The Kirby Cup is organised and sponsored by the ALRC, in collaboration with the Australian Law Students Association (ALSA). The Kirby Cup was donated by the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, a current Justice of the High Court of Australia and the first Chairperson of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC).

The format of the Kirby Cup has varied over the years. In 2008, entrants were asked to develop a proposal for law reform relevant to a current ALRC inquiry. The Competition provides law students with the opportunity to engage in a meaningful way with policy-orientated law reform, and provides a unique insight into the workings of the legal system.

What is required?

To enter, teams of two students must provide a written submission (maximum 15 pages) on a topic of law reform set by the ALRC.

Based on written entries, up to three teams will be invited to participate in an oral advocacy round, held during the ALSA Conference (this year to be held in Brisbane, 13-19 July 2009). The teams advancing to the oral advocacy round will present their proposal to an expert judging panel convened by an ALRC Commissioner.

Guidelines can be found at: http://www.alrc.gov.au/kirbycup/guidelines.html

Are there prizes?

The winners will have their names engraved on the perpetual Kirby Cup, which was donated by the Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG. In addition, a summary of the winning entry will be published in the ALRC’s journal Reform and on the ALRC’s website.

2009

Registration has now closed and submissions were due by 4 May 2009.

This year’s topic is on Animal Welfare Law Reform. The question for this year is:

What are the key issues that arise from the present federal regulatory framework for animal welfare? In considering appropriate law reform recommendations, assess whether Codes of Practice for animal welfare provide a reliable & satisfactory mechanism for regulating animal welfare; or whether a national Animal Welfare Act or harmonisation of State/Territory legislation would be more appropriate.

Kirby Cup