The OUP and BPP National Mooting Competition

Oxford University Press and BPP Law School are proud to co-sponsor this national mooting competition which provides law students from around the country with the opportunity to practise and hone their advocacy skills. The event is now one of the most prestigious mooting competitions in the UK, where student advocates debate a fictitious case in a mock court of appeal in front of a judge. Over 140 law students embark on the contest each October; run on a knock-out basis they are whittled down over 4 rounds to the 4 who compete in the nail-biting final.

The final of the OUP and BPP National Mooting Competition 2013-2014 took place on Thursday 10th July, and proved to be a very enjoyable night of mooting indeed. Teams from Aston University, the London School of Economics, Kaplan Law School and Queen Mary, University of London battled it out for the top prize, with Theodore Anthony Meddick Dyson and Darren Low of Queen Mary, University of London emerging as worthy moot champions.

His Honour Judge Charles Gratwicke of Chelmsford Crown Court presided over the final and kept the students on their toes with some keen questioning. In his summing up, Judge Gratwicke praised the hard work and depth of knowledge the students demonstrated, saying: “You have displayed an exceptionally high standard of advocacy skills and the differences between the teams are paper-thin. You will all be successful because people of quality always find their niche”.

Preparing for the competition

An audience member at the final of the OUP and BPP National Mooting Competition 2013-2014.

Lorna Badham (Kaplan Law School)

Lorna Badham (Kaplan Law School) presenting her submissions to the Mooting final.

His Honour Judge Gratwicke

His Honour Judge Gratwicke presiding over the second moot of the evening.

Competition notes

A trial bundle prepared by a competitor for the moot.

Gerard Pitt (Kaplan Law School)

Respondents from Queen Mary University of London watch as Gerard Pitt (Kaplan Law School) delivers his submissions

Darren Low (Queen Mary)

Junior counsel for Queen Mary, Darren Low, faces His Honour Judge Gratwicke

The moot court

The moot court in session with Darren Low facing His Honour Judge Gratwicke

Drinks reception

The attendees at the drinks reception

Malvika Jaganmohan (LSE)

Malvika Jaganmohan (LSE) talks with friends after the moot

Adam Shaw-Mellors (Aston University)

Senior counsel from Aston University, Adam Shaw-Mellors, awaits the result

Awaiting the result

Friends and family watch on as His Honour Judge Gratwicke announces the winners

The winners

The 2014 winners from Queen Mary, Darren Low and Theodore Anthony Meddick Dyson, with His Honour Judge Gratwicke

All photos by Arnaud Stephenson.

The post The OUP and BPP National Mooting Competition appeared first on OUPblog.

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