Cornwall Campus team at a round of the OUP and BPP National Mooting Competition
The University of Exeter teams are enjoying great success in the external moot competitions for 2010-11.

Mooting

The University of Exeter boasts an excellent, and growing, mooting programme, which provides undergraduate and postgraduate students with the opportunity to participate in a broad range of competitions.

A moot competition is a simulated legal argument before an appellate court. Mooters must research the law relevant to the problem, prepare written submissions and present their argument orally to the moot judge. Moot problems may be about any area of law, but often focus on issues that are contentious or on developing areas of law.

The benefits of mooting are manifold. Mooting affords participants the opportunity to develop their understanding of the law and improve their skills in legal research and analysis. Mooters learn to develop and defend legal arguments and to work closely with their teammates towards a common goal, in a way that serves to increase confidence and improve public speaking skills. Mooting allows for interaction between students and members of academic staff, practitioners and judges, in a rewarding environment.

Competitions

Devon Chambers Mooting Competition (Internal University of Exeter Competition)

The Devon Chambers Mooting Competition has run for a number of years, with increasing numbers of participants in recent years. All year levels are encouraged to take part, and novice mooters are often very successful in the competition. The competition begins early in the academic year, and consists of 5 rounds, with the grand final held in the Exeter Guildhall. The 2011 Grand Final was held on the 9th June.

Family law moot

Intervarsity

  • Novice moot against Plymouth University
  • Intermediate level competition between Streatham and Cornwall campuses

National and international competitions

The University of Exeter competes in a number of national and international competitions. These competitions provide an excellent opportunity for keen students to develop their mooting skills to a high level, and moot against some extremely able young advocates nationally and internationally. Team selection is competitive, and a place on an external moot team is highly prized. Exeter has an excellent record of success in these competitions, including winning the ICLR Competition in the 2009-2010 academic year.

The Law School provides extensive support to these teams in the form of coaching, including the provision of multiple practice moots before the competitions. Academic staff members, as well as local and London-based barristers and solicitors help teams improve their ability to construct legal argument and develop their advocacy skills through various workshops, and practice moots.

National

International