LJMU supports law students as host of national speed mooting competition

LJMU’s School of Law played host to more than 120 law students on campus as part of the largest single day mooting competition in the country.

The National Speed Mooting Competition 2024 aims to test the advocacy, communication, and research skills of trainee lawyers in mock courtroom scenarios presided over by practising judges and other law practitioners.

School of Law students from LJMU, alongside those attending from other universities, took part in the mooting events, presenting their verbal arguments and putting their knowledge to the test that they’ve learnt during their studies and through pro bono work at the university’s Legal Advice Centre which supports members of the public from across the Liverpool City Region.

In addition to the mooting competition, students also gained experience through a mock trial which was hosted with the support of qualified barristers and judges, offering the opportunity to learn from and question many experts in their field.

Professor Carlo Panara, Director of the School of Law at LJMU, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have seen so many LJMU students putting their skills into practice at this prestigious national mooting event. Mooting is a vital part of legal education with many law firms and chambers viewing it as an essential part of learning and something that can absolutely boost graduate employability, so we were delighted to act as the host venue for the national competition.

“Well done to all of those who took part. It was fantastic to see huge amounts of enthusiasm, as well as a strong appetite for learning, from all the students who were involved with many travelling from across the country here to Liverpool to take part.”  

Criminal barrister and Speed Mooting founder, John Dove, said: “It was a privilege to hold our flagship competition at LJMU. This is a great facility, and the university has a fantastic mooting programme. Our goal is to create innovative competitions that are accessible to those of all abilities and ultimately help develop the skills of aspiring lawyers. It is a pleasure to work with a host whose values are aligned with ours. The day was a great success and once again we were blown away by the calibre of the competitors.”

Beverley Caddick-Kala, Subject Leader in Law in the School of Law at LJMU, said: “The Speed Mooting Competition is a fantastic competition that enables participants to demonstrate their advocacy skills in front of a panel of judges and receive feedback on how to improve for future moots. The event also included interactive sessions on advocacy skills and a Q and A panel who answered a number of questions from undergraduate and postgraduate law students. It was a pleasure to work with John and to host their flagship competition.” 

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