Evaluating the Pedagogic Value of Mooting and ‘Nooting’ at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Cth)

This article explains and evaluates how the National Administrative Appeals Tribunal Moot Competition, and its younger sibling, the Negotiating Outcomes on Time (‘NOOT’) Competition, afford law students an important and unique opportunity to develop; distinctive advocacy skills, superior analytical skills directed to resolving complex questions of fact and law, enhanced knowledge and understanding of public law, and an appreciation of relevant professional standards. The article reveals how the competitions can challenge students to think beyond the ‘doing’ and the ‘knowing’, to deeply and critically reflect on administrative law and administrative justice principles, practices and procedures. It is argued that the two AAT competitions are highly effective vehicles for student learning that do not suffer from the deficiencies associated with traditional moots based on appellate court proceedings. Therefore, the article demonstrates that the AAT competitions are realistic and highly relevant for future lawyers.