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Mooting

What is a Moot?

A moot is a mock court proceeding in which two pairs of advocates argue a fictitious legal case in front of a judge. Students aim to make the best presentation of their legal arguments. Each advocate has a set time to present their argument, rebut those of his or her opponent, and answer questions asked by the judge. Points are awarded for advocacy skills, quality of argument and legal research – even if the law is against you.

Mooting develops a range of professional skills including; analysis, interpretation, argument and public speaking. Mooting is also a great way of meeting new people, developing teamwork skills and, if you are successful in the international competitions, exploring the globe. 

There is an active mooting community at King’s with students from The Dickson Poon School of Law regularly taking part in national and international competitions. 

About Mooting at the School

The School also supports our many Student Society led moot competitions meaning that students have numerous opportunities to practice their oral advocacy.

Mooting is overseen by the School’s Director of Mooting and supported by the Student Experience Manager. Current students can find out more about current moots and how to get involved on our intranet / KEATS Professional Law pages.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Competition Law Moot

The Dickson Poon School of Law is very proud to offer students from across the world the opportunity to participate in the Herbert Smith Freehills Competition Law Moot. The competition is generously sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills, one of the world’s leading law firms.

Teams are invited to submit memoranda which will be marked by competition law academics and practitioners. The 12 teams with the highest marked memoranda will be invited to the Oral Rounds at Somerset House East Wing, the home of The Dickson Poon School of Law. The competition will provide an excellent opportunity for students to practise and improve advocacy skills in front of a judging panel, drawn from international competition law specialists.

Rules & Questions for 2020

CHANGES TO TIMELINE AND FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

Deadline for submission of written pleadings: 27 April 2020.

Announcement of finalists: 25 May 2020.

Possible online oral round/quality of written pleadings assessment for the top 4-6 teams: 18 & 19 June 2020. Please note that the format of any final stage of the competition will be determined as soon as possible after the marking of the written round and following an assessment of the feasibility of its operation.

We will provide a full refund of the Registration Fee to all participating teams.

Please click here to view and download the 2020 Problem Question.

Please click here to view and download the 2020 Problem Question with Clarifications.

Please click here to view and download 2020 Rules.

Registration & Cost

The Registration Fee to enter the Competition is £120 per team. There are no separate fees for the Oral Round. Breakfast and lunch will be provided throughout the weekend.

Registrations for the 2020 Competition are now closed.

Contact

If you have any questions about the Herbert Smith Freehills Competition Law Moot please contact the organisers here, or follow the competition on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for updates.

Further information about the competition

King's is delighted to offer one scholarship of £2000 to pay towards the costs of participating in the Oral Round for student members of a team from a University in a Medium or Low HDI Country (based on the UNDP Human Development Index). This scholarship will be awarded to the student members of the team with the highest score in the Written Round and which qualifies to participate in the Oral Round.

02 Dec 2019: Registration opens

20 Jan 2020: Deadline for registration

31 Jan 2020: Deadline for requesting clarifications

17 Feb 2020: Publication of clarifications

06 April 2020: Deadline for submission of written pleadings

04 May 2020: Announcement of finalists

17-19 June 2020: Oral round at King's College London