Chief Justice opens Wonderley & Hall USQ Moot Court

The Chief Justice of Queensland, the Hon Paul de Jersey AC was at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) on Friday, 14 November 2008 to officially open the Wonderley & Hall USQ Moot Court.

The Moot Court is sponsored by local Toowoomba law firm Wonderley & Hall Solicitors and is an exciting new resource for USQ's School of Law.  It provides law students with the opportunity to practise court room processes and is a replica of an actual court room.

The Chief Justice congratulated the Law School for the very real attempts it is making to equip students with a diverse range of practical legal skills.

'These excellent facilities will give students the chance to develop and refine their advocacy skills in a professional environment, the Chief Justice noted.

'It is refreshing to see a faculty genuinely committed to developing a learning environment which is both innovative and inspiring,' he said.

Professor Geraldine Mackenzie, Head of the School of Law at USQ said that the opening of the Wonderley & Hall USQ Moot Court was a wonderful occasion for USQ Law, which has enrolled over 400 students in its inaugural year.

'The Moot Court has four purposes, Professor Mackenzie explained.

'It is a training facility for our students.  It will be used as a tutorial / teaching room, a meeting room, and can also be used as a court room as it has the same fit out as a real court.'

The five partners of Wonderley & Hall Solicitors were present to witness the opening of the Moot Court bearing the name of their firm.  Wonderley & Hall Solicitors is a key supporter for both the School of Law and its students.

Mr Chris Tait, Partner at Wonderley & Hall Solicitors, said that the firm was delighted to be involved with USQ and proud to have an association with the University via the Moot Court.

The Chief Justice also expressed gratitude to Wonderley & Hall Solicitors for their support of the law school.

Over 60 people attended the opening of the Moot Court.  These included members of the judiciary, the local legal community, Members of Parliament and Council, USQ management and staff, local high school principals and teachers, USQ's first intake of law students as well as other supporters of the Law School.

Media Contact:  Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559