The UQLS Competitions team invites you to register for the 2018 Clayton Utz Policy Presentation competition.

The Clayton Utz Policy Presentation competition gives you an opportunity to research and argue about fascinating and contentious legal-policy issues. It is an excellent way to improve your written and oral communication skills.

This year the question is:
According to the National Transport Commission (NTC), autonomous vehicles will improve road safety and reduce the economic and environmental costs of road transportation. However, the death of Elaine Herzberg has alerted the international community to risks associated with this new technology and the legal uncertainty surrounding the liability of 'drivers', manufacturers and software providers arising from autonomous vehicle accidents. While the National Chairman of the NTC has acknowledged that 'automated vehicles are set to fundamentally change the way we look at transport', there have not been any changes made to Australian law.

Discuss the suitability of Queensland's current civil liability framework for allocating liability in the event of an autonomous vehicle accident. In your response, consider the need for amendment to Queensland law and the impact that change may have on legal practice.

Note: Competitors should not comment on any potential criminal liability arising from autonomous vehicles accidents or the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld).

To register and for more information go this link: https://form.jotform.co/81281239026857.

All competitors are required to submit an executive summary of their presentation to competitions@uqls.com by 5pm on 20 August 2018.

The grand final will be held at the firm on 3 September, starting at 5:30pm.

You can view the criteria at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bu1_IZ-Fq84Gswj1dPJI_txh3moyeuti/view?usp=sharing.

Please address any questions to competitions@uqls.com.