Module description:
A ‘moot' or ‘mooting' is the oral presentation of a legal issue or problem. It is perhaps the closest experience to appearing in court that a student can have whilst at university. The legal profession (be it as a barrister or as a solicitor) is an increasingly difficult one to enter. Application forms for legal professional courses, solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers often demand that a candidate has, and can provide evidence of, their advocacy or mooting experience whilst at university. In addition mooting as an exercise improves understanding and knowledge of particular areas of law and also enhances confidence in public speaking, general research, and presentation skills. In other words mooting experience can benefit every student whether or not they plan to follow a traditional legal career path upon graduation.
This module will introduce students to the theory of advocacy and will allow them to put theory into practice by engaging in moots and watching court sessions to develop their own advocacy skills and to view advocacy ‘in the real world’. Students will be challenged intellectually by enhancing their knowledge in core legal subjects as they research and prepare for moots and argue cases on appeal to an appellate court level. This latter preparation will require both written and oral presentations and these skills will be practiced throughout the module. In addition the module will also introduce students to alternative forms of dispute resolution which will include both mediation and negotiation.