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Develop your public speaking and advocacy skills whilst taking part in mooting competitions. Participation also gives you the opportunity to carry out legal research and connect with local judges, barristers, and solicitors.

Competitions can be sponsored by leading law firms that offer work experience placements to winners.

In 2020, our University of Reading team emerged as the national champion of England in the Telders International Law Moot Competition.

A group of Reading law students taking part in a mooting competition
The first competition that I entered was a Criminal National Mock Trial Competition. My partner and I came second overall in this competition. This competition grew my confidence and interest in legal research and public speaking and led me to be selected to compete in BPP's Advocate of the Year Competition. Our team came second in the Heat. Due to finding a passion for mooting, I ran for and was elected as Mistress of the Moots of the Law Society which has given me the opportunity to organise competitions and see the competitions from the perspective of a judge.
Katie Stephens, LLB student

The value of mooting

In this video, Katie Stephens discusses mooting opportunities in the School of Law.

What is mooting?

Mooting is a mock legal hearing or trial, where you take on the role of counsel and present arguments on a point of law.

Mooting involves a lot of research and analysis, the preparation of written submissions and an oral presentation. You will be required to argue either for or against a hypothetical decision, referring to relevant case law precedents and put forward a legal argument in the most convincing way.

How will mooting help me?

Whether you intend to practice law or not, participating in mooting can play a key role in your education and training, helping you to develop essential transferable skills.

Mooting develops participants' capacity in legal research, argument, writing and oral advocacy. Students who take part, find that mooting improves their ability to formulate legal arguments. The ability to present oral arguments also helps build confidence in other areas, such as taking part in assessed group presentations.


Internal mooting competitions

 

Osborne Clarke mooting competition

This competition involves researching the law relevant to the problem, preparing written submissions and presenting arguments orally.

The final is held in the prestigious Supreme Court; the prize for the winners is work experience with Osborne Clarke.

Mock trial competition

This competition involves legal applications, speeches and witness handling. In March 2020, this competition was held in Reading Crown Court and was sponsored by the University of Law.

Speed moot

This competition does not require any preparation; students simply turn up on the day and do the moot itself. This is great for getting involved in mooting during busy academic times.

Beginners mooting competitions

Exclusively for first-time competitors, this competition is designed to encourage those who have not tried mooting before to get involved in a more relaxed and less competitive environment.

Virtual advocacy exercise

During the COVID-19 lockdown periods, we ran an exercise where participants asked the court to vary the bail conditions for the defendant.

External mooting competitions

As well as internal competitions, the School also takes part in a number of external competitions, including:

  • BPP Advocate of the Year Competition
  • Landmark Chambers Judicial Review Moot
  • Landmark Chambers Property Moot
  • 5 Paper Buildings Criminal Law Moot
  •  The Oxford University Press (OUP) and The Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) Mooting Competition
  • Surrey Law Society National Mock Trial Competition
  • Telders International Law Moot Court Competition
  • Willem C. Vis Moot.

Mooting enquiries

If you would like to find out more about mooting, please email the Director of Mooting, Elizabeth Conaghan or the Mistress and Master of the Moots of the Law Society.

The current student mooting officers are Lily Sainsbury, Devon Bailey and Olivia Thirkettle.

All mooting opportunities are emailed to students and advertised on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

A group of Reading law students in court

Go beyond the classroom

Gain valuable experience and enhance your career prospects through pro bono and co-curricular activities.

The School of Law boasts one of the widest ranges of pro bono activities of any law school in England and Wales.

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Read William's story

Mooting is great, especially for first years. If you want to be a barrister, or just want to improve your public-speaking skills, it's excellent practice. Mooting was, by far, my best experience as part of the Law Society.
William Page, LLB and MRes Law and Society
Group of law students working together

How you'll study law

Our exciting curriculum combines academic rigour with practical legal experience and exclusive placement opportunities, enabling you to gain valuable transferable skills and build a successful career.