What is mooting?
Moots are competitions that simulate the atmosphere of court hearings, using problems based on real legal issues, case law, and legislation. They are an excellent way to develop advocacy, research, and public speaking skills; they also help to strengthen your ability to produce and defend complex legal arguments.
Whilst similar to debates in many respects, moots are much more focused on using analytical skills to build and justify arguments rooted in legal precedents and factual evidence. During a moot, you will face questions from a judge, based on the argument you present - this is a unique experience where your argument is tested by an individual with advanced legal knowledge who looks to draw out the best from your submissions through your advocacy. Competitions are often judged by justices of the Supreme Court, High Court, or Court of Appeals, or legal academics and advocates.
Mooters prepare submissions for one or both sides of the case, dependent on the competition. As part of this, it is necessary to produce a skeleton argument outlining the submissions that will be made and the authorities on which they are grounded, and a highlighted bundle of case law that will be referred to during oral argument.
Mooting combines many essential skills for legal study, practice, and beyond - it is a thoroughly worthwhile commitment.
Mooting at St Andrews
The St Andrews Law Society, of which the Mooting Society is part, offers training sessions to mooters of all levels of experience. Students are encouraged and mentored to compete in national competitions while improving advocacy, legal research, and public speaking skills on a personal level; there are also plenty of members who attend not with a view to participate in competitions, but to hone essential skills and meet others with an interest in the law and a future legal career.
Over the years, mooters have trained under renowned barristers, judges, and legal academics, affording them the opportunity to improve their skills and receive advice from leading professionals.
The Advocacy Development Programme continues to expand, inviting leading barristers, advocates, and academics to advise our members on improving key legal skills. The mooting programme has recently put St Andrews ‘on the legal map’, and with the dedicated support of the Law Society, we hope to continue this tradition and expand the society outside the bounds of the University and integrate into it the next generation of students and future legal professionals. It works closely with the Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research to deliver a programme that enriches the experience of members and prepares them for future legal endeavours.
Weekly mooting workshops are held in-person on Monday evenings, usually followed by a social afterwards. There are two sessions:
1800-1830: Beginners and Refresher
1830-1900: Experienced and External Competition Preparation
How to get involved
If you would like to get involved or have any queries about mooting, please get in contact with the Masters of the Moots by emailing them at:
Callum Friel (ctf1@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Annabelle Nolan (aen5@st-andrews.ac.uk)