Warwick Law Society

A moot is a legal argument of the issues raised by a fictitious appeal where two teams of counsel attempt to persuade a judge of the strength of their case by reference to legal authority. The Internal Mooting Competition involves a team of students made up of a Lead and a Junior Counsel arguing their points before a Judge in an imaginary court, representing either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. The role of the judge of the moot is to weigh up the arguments presented to him or her and to question counsel where this is necessary to allow the judge to understand or accept the points being made. The judge will look at the quality of the legal arguments presented, the skills of advocacy deployed and responsiveness to legal questioning.

Mooting develops core skills necessary to be successful in any career, but is especially important for those wishing to pursue legal careers; it is a CV must-have for vacation scheme and mini pupillage applications.

First Annual Warwick vs Cambridge Debating Compeition

Wednesday 8th February 6:30pm MS.02

There are numerous opportunities to participate and compete in mooting at Warwick. The prestigious University of Warwick Internal Mooting Competition is our main internal competition, with last year’s final judged by Lord Walker of the Supreme Court. This competition is open to first-time mooters, as well as the more seasoned mooter. It is a brilliant opportunity to improve your legal reasoning, public speaking and ability to think on your feet, as well as meeting lots of new people.

This year, for the first time, a first year competition will be run in term 2. This will provide the opportunity for first year students who may be knocked out in the early rounds of the main internal competition to improve on their skills ready to compete again the following year, as well ensuring those who don’t sign up to moot in the first term don’t have to miss out for the rest of the year.

We will also be sending teams to compete in External and International Mooting Competitions. Some experience will be required for these competitions, but there are plenty of opportunities to go around, ranging from inter-varsity moots at Oxford and Cambridge, to external competitions in Vienna, India and Dublin.

Mooting Bible

Template Mooting Skeleton

There will be a mooting demo held early in term 1, in advance of the main internal competition sign-up deadline on the 24th October. The final of the main competition will be held in term 2 week 8 and will be an occasion not to be missed.

We are planning to hold the new first year competition in weeks 3 and 4 of term 2 (23rd January - 5th February) with the final at the end of week 4. Deadline for sign-ups will be the 11th January.