What is mooting?

A moot court competition simulates an appeal hearing, in which participants analyse a problem, research the relevant law, prepare brief written submissions, and present oral argument. Mooting problems are typically designed to promote argument in areas of the law that are unsettled or subject to recent developments. Mooting competitions require competitors to engage with legal issues, and to enhance their skills of legal research and analysis, as well as their skills of persuasive argument, in the formal context of an appellate court. Mooting afford participants the opportunity to develop an understanding of substantive legal principles, to construct and defend legal argument, to collaborate closely with teammates, and to interact with academic staff, practitioners and judges in an environment that is both rewarding and enjoyable.

The short video below includes footage taken at the 2009 Shearman and Sterling LLP University of Oxford Moot Competition and features brief interviews with participants, who explain what mooting is and talk about their experiences mooting in Oxford. (A longer video filmed during the actual competition can be seen on the Shearman & Sterling University of Oxford Moot Competition page.)

AboutMooting (12.28MB).


Mooting News

The Wilhem C Vis International Arbitration Moot

The University of Oxford competed in the 20th Wilhem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot held in Vienna between the 23 and 28 of March 2013 [more…]

Pembroke students win the JustCite Oxford Legal Assistance Immigration Law Moot Court Competition

Twelve teams consisting of two members each engaged in oral argument throughout the day [more…]

Sixth International Roman Law Moot

From 7 to 10 April 2013, students and academics from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Liège, Trier, Athens, Vienna, Tübingen and Naples gathered in Oxford for the Sixth International Roman Law Moot Court Competition – the first time this event has been held outside of Greece [more…]

University College London wins Oxford French Law Moot 2013

The 6th annual Oxford French Law Moot took place on Monday 11 March 2013 [more…]

Brasenose Lawyers Triumph at Cuppers Mooting Competition

The Grand Final of the University of Oxford & Maitland Chambers Undergraduate (Inter-Collegiate) Cuppers Mooting Competition (“Cuppers”), was held on 19th February 2013 [more…]

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