(insert something witty here) Mooting 101 (insert something witty here)

LSS Mooting Competition Receive problem 24 hours before Random area of law Usually the problem is split into two parts Expected to prepare a written summary of arguments Two 10 minute oral presentations

When you get the problem Read through the problem carefully Work out the area of law It is often an area you haven’t studied Brain storm ideas/deconstruct the problem Go to the library and find text books Don’t worry about cases yet Break the problem into areas that each of you will study. You will almost never study/know the whole problem. Spend a while familiarising yourself with the law This can take a really long time, but that is ok

Preparation Once you are familiar with the law, go back to the problem Apply what you have learnt, see if there is anything that still doesn’t make sense Start researching specific aspects of the problem, looking for cases and clear law Use the library databases Here you are constructing both your arguments, and the written submission

The submission Judge won’t have spent much time reading the law, the problem, or your submission Submission should be a simple, clear and logical guide to what you are going to say No more than 2 pages (excl. cover page and list of authorities)

Formatting the Submission FORMATTING IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT!!! I know, sounds super geeky, but it’s true A cleanly formatted document makes your submission look professional, and makes you look like you know what you’re talking about Look for examples online, provided by the LSS, from cases, wherever you think you will find a good submission, and copy them

Court Etiquette Sounds naff, but etiquette is important. Centres on being professional, with a couple of small idiosyncrasies. Address the judge as ‘Your Honour’. Stand when the judge walks in the room. Sit once the judge has sat. It is highly unlikely, but if the judge bows, then bow back (this would be super weird in a LSS moot, but might happen in other mooting competitions). Print a copy of your submissions, and the facts, and present that copy to the judge before the oral submissions See the guidebook page on etiquette. It is better to be more formal/professional, than less.

Random Thoughts Take it seriously Be respectful, think of it as a real court and a real case Remember, the judge works full time — they are giving up their time for this, so don’t half-arse it or they will be pissed Mooting is actually fun Scary as hell, always nerve wracking, occasionally unfair, but fun, so enjoy the comp.