Mooting
Welcome to LSS Mooting 2011!
Mooting is a traditional law school competition that entails a 'mock' courtroom type scenario. In each round, two teams compete against each other in the context of a mock submission, usually an appeal from an earlier decision, with one team representing the appellant and the other representing the re- spondent. As such, the facts have already been agreed upon, and the two sides will be debating issues of law. Each team will be required to submit a written submission to the court, as well as make a brief oral submission to the judge.
Each team must consist of a Senior and Junior Counsel, who will each make a 10-minute oral submission to the court – with the judge ask- ing questions – over the applicable points of law (not facts). However, each team may also have an Instructing Solicitor, who assists in the le- gal research and writing of the written submission, but does NOT speak during the oral submission. The Solicitor is optional, and has been introduced to add flexibility to the competition; if one teammate cannot make it to a particular mooting round, this will not disqualify the team from the competition. Team members may rotate positions during the course of the competition so that everyone gets a chance to make oral submissions. This is also in line with the ALSA regulations.
The Mooting Competition is an exciting way to get experience in public speaking, but may require a great deal of legal research into obscure and previously unstudied areas of law. A mooting demonstration will take place during week 3 for competitors who have not previously mooted. Keep your eyes on the website for more information.
If you have any questions, please feel to contact your Mooting Competition Officers Rose Watts and Jonathan Hoe at lss-mooting@unimelb.edu.au
As for the procedure of the mooting competition, a small informative guidesheet can be accessed here.
Thank you, and have a pleasant day.