Mooting Competition - the general rules for 2011

Outline: Any students knocked out of the 'Mooting Competition' will remain in classes to watch those participating. All students that are knocked out of the competition on 'Knockout Monday' (plus any that withdraw from a second bout) will be required to research and produce detailed 'written legal opinions' on each of the moot scenarios (using case law) by no later than noon on Monday of the final week of the 'Mooting Competition'. The 'written legal opinions' will be assessed by one of the judges and a prize will be given to the writer of the best 'legal opinion' at the Grand Moot final.

(1)  Prior to the start of the Competition (i.e. after the AS Exams) there should be approx a week of lessons outlining the relevant principles of Criminal Law appropriate for the moot. Efforts will also be made to prepare/train students for the Mooting Competition.

(2) By the Wednesday, prior to 'Knockout Monday', each student should produce a written legal opinion related to the case they will be undertaking on 'Knockout Monday' (each class will be allocated a moot for 'Knockout Monday' - in subsequent rounds a draw will take place for each moot).

(3)  Students will be paired into Law Teams (if students have a preference they may advise the relevant Laws Teacher of that preference).

(4)  Once formulated, Law Teams will be given a number that relates to class and team (e.g. A1, A2 etc). After 'Knockout Monday' students can change partners if it is agreed with the relevant Laws Teacher.

(5)  A draw will take place to select the moot team and the moot case for the moot. First the appellants, then respondents, and then the moot case number.

(6)  A Moot Clerk may be chosen/agreed by the two teams in consultation with the Judge/Laws Teacher.

(7) The dates for each moot are chosen by the Judge/Laws Teacher and should not be arranged to suit the convenience of the moot participants (though if all parties [including the Judge] are in agreement, a date can be set that fits in with the overall programme). Should a team, or one of its members, fail to turn up for a moot they will be automatically disqualified from that competition and offender(s) likely to face disciplinary proceedings before Dr Jepson. Illness is generally not an excuse (medical notes will be required) - since you cannot let your team and/or your client down.

 (8)  Click HERE for the rules and marking criteria applicable in the moot. The Judge/Laws Teacher can vary rules and procedure if they feel it is necessary.

 (9)  The aim of the Competition is to get a winning team from each class - with the winners from each class competing against each other in the semi-finals. All students will be invited to watch the semi-finals.

(10)  If possible, the judges for rounds of the Competition shall be Dr Jepson and a relevant Laws Teacher (Dr Jepson to be the senior judge).

• The Grand Final of the Mooting Competition to be held in Coopers’ Hall.
• All students are expected/required to attend/watch the Moot Final.
• Any student who fails to submit their 'written legal opinion(s)' by the required date will need to undertake that work and some 'additional work' for the start of term and will face disciplinary proceedings.

Any appeal, in relation to any elements of the Mooting Competition(s), should be placed in writing and submitted to Dr Jepson for his consideration. The final arbiter, of any dispute in relation to the competition(s), is Dr Peter Jepson.