Trainee solicitors Conor Cawley (Gore & Grimes) and Neil Nolan (Ronan Daly Jermyn) beat 19 other teams, drawn from every corner of the world, to claim first prize after four days of competitive rounds.

The Brown-Mosten International Client Consultation Competition

The International Client Consultation Competition simulates an initial consultation with a new client. Two students are presented with a client matter and are required to elicit the relevant information from the client, explore his or her preferred outcome, outline the nature of the problem, and present the client with a means (or range of alternatives, if appropriate) for resolving the issue.

The role of client is played by a professional actor, while a panel of judges (comprising both lawyers and non-lawyers) oversee the consultation. The 2017 competition took place at the University of Kent in Canterbury from 19 to 22 April, under the theme of residential disputes.

The competition provides an exciting opportunity for students to learn and practice the planning, analytical, interviewing and advising skills of a lawyer-client relationship in office. The competition also provides an opportunity for valuable educational and cultural interchange between students, law teachers and legal practitioners.

Building on success

Teams from the Law School have participated in the International Client Consultation Competition since 2000, winning twice. Michelle O’Mahony and Melanie Evans won first prize in 2007, while Emma Farrell and Seán O’Connor reclaimed the title in 2014. 

For more information, visit the Brown-Mosten International Client Consultation Competition website.