The Oral Plea Competition provides students with the opportunity to engage with new aspects of criminal law proceedings. In this competition, students must prepare a sentencing submission on behalf of their client. This competition focuses on a critical aspect of criminal law: persuading the judge to consider mitigating factors in sentencing. Acting as a criminal defence lawyer, participants must contextualise the offence and advocate for the best possible outcome for their client. Students are provided with the Prosecution Opening, and Client Instructions as a springboard for their submission. As the competition progresses, more information such as witness impact statements and toxicology reports will be provided to hone participant submissions.
It’s an excellent opportunity to develop persuasive speaking skills and gain insight into criminal practice, especially for those interested in defence work or advocacy.