Jessup and Hicks Morley

This week has been a week of some mooting experience, both as a volunteer and as a participant!

Jessup Volunteer
We had to go for a compulosry briefing session on last tuesday and the session was kind of lame, as we just went through general instructions and checked out how the timer works. We had a free 'goodie bag', individually tagged with our names! I did not expect them to go to this extent of preparation. It is the first time that Western is hosting the competition and it was held at the Lamplighter Inn Convention Centre. It wasn't a bad place, with the covered shelter pool area which was pretty cool.
Volunteering on Friday was tiring, but we were quite well-fed! We had to be there by 8am. The first session that I volunteered for was better than the first, I thought. One of the speakers, whom I think is from Calgary, was excellent. I think to a large extent it was due to his poise, style and disposition. He just commanded a dignified presence and had good articulation and a good pace. One of the judges reflected my sentiment when she said that he looked 'trustworthy' overall. I guess advocates, besides being strong in the law and having good oralist skills, also have to have a trustworthy and dignified presence, so that people will want to listen to you.

The final banquet was quite okie, with good food. We were there a little bit too early and I felt a little awkward standing around and not knowing who to talk to. Most of the people at the cocktail were participants and coaches...but I was pleasantly surprised when one of the speakers in the round I volunteered for recognised me and actually spoke to me :) I also saw Justice Binnie from the Supreme Court of Canada. I also had a good talk with Carey, who is part of what I would call a rare breed that likes legal research! She has been a research assistance for 2 summers and will be clerking for a federal court judge next year.
After the banquet, as Carlet, Anne-Sofie and I were walking back to London Hall from Delaware Hall, Carlet lamented that she was surprised that Jamie the organiser did not thank the volunteers at the final banquet in her thank you speech. Indeed, it has never crossed my mind that I should be thanked as a volunteer! I guess this is the kind of the 'cultural gap' between western and asian mindsets. We are always sort of hesitant to accept praise, do not expect something in return for contribution, and to some degree not as quite cognizant of our rights to deserve something.

Hicks Morley Arbitration Moot
I said 'yes' to this competition 3 weeks ago and it took a fair bit of courage for me to do so. Although I did not go to the finals and did not win anything, it was a good chance for me to overcome my fear of moots and public speaking. I think I'd give myself a 80 marks for my performance today as I think I managed to answer questions quite ok, and generally maintained some composure and clarity.
I got some good feedback from Paul, one of the judges- but none from the other judge, Barry!!! Did he find my performance unworthy of comments or is it because there was nothing wrong about that he felt he should point out?
At dinner, I met James, one of the opponents from the other side and he said to me, "you were good...I'm surprised". I didn't know whether I should feel happy or insulted.

Anyway, I feel that I've done a reasonably good job and things should get on better from here.

Work!!
I still havent touched my IPIP comments and I still have my memo and opinion letter to clean up. Ar...But my head is swirling and my eyes shutting already. ..