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Hooting about mooting: University law students in finals of national competition

5091/KB 30th June 2008

• Local University to take on top student law rivals in London
  
  
• Birmingham City University most successful university for mooting

Two law students at Birmingham City University are today preparing to take on rivals from three other universities in a legal battle of words known as ‘mooting.’ 

Birmingham City University students will take on the top mooting teams from the University of Cambridge, University of Reading and City University in the final of the Oxford University Press and BPP Law School National Mooting Competition 2007-2008 in London.

Mooting is when a team of two students are given a case on any area of law; they either act for the defendant or for the prosecution / claimant, and they put forward their argument on legal issues or problems.  Students stand up in a court style setting and present in front of a judge (usually a qualified solicitor or barrister) and ague their case.

Graham Wright, Tutor and Director of Mooting at Birmingham City University, said: “To the average person the term ‘mooting’ won’t mean a lot, but for law students it’s an important part of the skills they need to develop for the court room when they qualify. 

“Representing the University in the final will be third year law students Sarah Cooper and Nicola Weller.  Later today, they will have to prove their mooting skills before a real judge in a mock courtroom, and the judge will decide whether our students or those from another University will win the competition.

“We have a good record at the University for mooting.  This year our Mooting Society has beaten 10 other universities including Nottingham, Warwick and Buckingham, which is no mean feat.  By our calculations these wins make us the most successful university for mooting.”

The criteria for winning are based on the way a team prepares and presents their legal argument.  This involves skills such as maintaining god eye contact with the judge, answering the judge’s questions and being persuasive and articulate.

The practice of student mooting is highly regarded by solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers, as they often want candidates that can provide evidence of their advocacy or mooting experience while at university. 

Graham added: “I think it would be valuable for every law student to gain some mooting experience.  Particularly, as practice for job interviews or if they just need to polish-up their presentation skills.”

Birmingham City University law students had to beat a number of universities across the country and in Scotland to reach the final.  The Oxford University Press and BPP Law Society National Mooting Competition will take place on Monday 30 June 2008 at 5.00pm.  Birmingham City University will take on City University in the final draw.

For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

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