MOOTING

WHAT IS MOOTING?

A moot is a mock appellate court hearing in which two teams of two students argue a fictitious civil or criminal case before a panel of judges. A moot consists of both written advocacy in the form of skeleton argument submissions, and oral advocacy in the form of oral submissions on the law.

WHY DO MOOTING?

"Why are you doing law? If you want to become an advocate you need to moot. The sooner you start the better. Get used to public speaking, presenting arguments, having your thought processes challenged. Mooting teaches you many skills you will require as an advocate and is the best way to stand out on a CV.”- Mary Prior QC

Mooting is one of the best extra-curricular activities a law student can do. It is absolutely essential for aspiring Barristers and is also useful for aspiring Solicitors. Mooting has aided many students to progress in their careers, by helping them secure pupillages and training contracts. It is a highly respected activity among all legal employers.

The fictitious cases will relate to topics which you have studied or are currently studying, and are therefore also a great form of revision and incredibly useful in developing a deeper understanding of the law and how it is applied.

Through mooting you will be able to gain a greater appreciation of the law and learn how to think like a lawyer. Not only will it improve your advocacy skills and ability to speak in public, it will train you to come up with solutions to complex issues quickly and present them in a formal manner. Other vital skills you will develop are legal research and writing skills, which are key in any legal career.

BENEFITS:

• Extremely useful on applications and CVs for pursuing any legal career

• Highly respected extra- curricular activity by both chambers and law firms

• An essential activity for aspiring Barristers

• Moot on the subjects you are learning

• Improve written and oral advocacy, problem solving, and legal research skills

• Compete in front of high ranking professionals such as QCs, Justices, Barristers and more

• Win valuable prizes such as mini-pupillages, work experience, merchandise and money

“Second only to conducting litigation trials, mooting is the clearest way to develop and demonstrate critical analysis and thinking in relation to factional as opposed to fictional scenarios.” - Anthol Gordon, Parter at Clyde & Co

“When shifting Pupillage or Mini-Pupillage Applications, applicants who have little or no experience of mooting, debating or other advocacy, very rarely make it through the first round” - Oliver Nunn, Barrister on KCH Garden Square Chambers’ Pupillage Committee

more about Mooting: