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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.