Oxford Triumphs at Inaugural University of Derby Westlaw Moot Competition 2021

The Semi-Finals and Grand Finals of the inaugural University of Derby Moot Competition (in association with Westlaw) took place on 28 March 2021. This followed the two group stages which took place the previous weekend.

The competition was split into two strands; a Contract Law Moot for first year undergraduates, and a Company Law Moot for second and third year undergraduates.

Oxford entered three teams into the Contract Law Moot, and were proud to see all three teams progress to the Contract Semi-Finals, beating teams from SOAS, the University of Lancaster, the University of Derby, and the University of Reading. Teams were required to moot twice in the group stages, both as appellant and respondent, on a problem that dealt with whether part-payment of a debt could amount to good consideration, and whether on-time delivery can amount to receipt of a practical benefit.

The three Oxford Teams that reached the Contract Semi-Final consisted of: (1) Rivu Chowhury (Magdalen) and Jahnavi Bhatia (Harris Manchester); (2) Frantisek Jezek (Corpus Christi), Angel Chun (Wadham) and Kristy Chan (Somerville); and (3) Felix Waldman (Harris Manchester) and Benjamin Freeborn (Somerville). Felix and Benjamin were triumphant in their Semi-Final round, and were narrowly beaten by the University of Derby in the Contract Grand Final later that day, judged by Mary Prior QC.

Oxford entered six teams into the Company law moot, and were proud to see four teams progress to the all-Oxford Company Semi-Finals, beating teams from SOAS, the University of Lancaster, the University of Derby, and the University of Swansea. Teams were required to moot twice in the group stages, both as appellant and respondent, on a problem that dealt with the circumstances under which it is appropriate to pierce the corporate veil, and whether certain funds had been received on constructive trust.

The four Oxford Teams that reached the Company Semi-Final consisted of: (1) Athena Kam (Pembroke) and Alexander Yean (Exeter); (2) Benedict Stanley (St John's) and John Yap (Mansfield); (3) Sampada Venkatesh (Corpus Christi) and Henry Fahrenkamp (Magdalen); and (4) Belinda Larasati (Magdalen) and Marcin Pisanski (St Anne's). Athena & Alexander and Benedict & John were triumphant in their Semi-Final rounds, and faced off against one another in the all-Oxford Company Grand Final later that day. Benedict and John were crowned the overall winners of the Company competition.

We congratualate all the mooters on a fantastic performance representing Oxford in this competition. Particular thanks go to Nicola Lambert at the University of Derby for facilitating this competition.

The Mooting Programme also thanks postgraduate students Ceara Tonna-Barthet, Alex Matheson, Timothy Pilkington, William Moppet, Georgios Dougeni, Zachary Salmon and Jakub Bieganski for volunteering to judge several of the group stage moots.