Taking on the best in the UK

They argued ‘moot’ points in law against teams from the Inns of Court in London and the specialist colleges that prepare law graduates for the bar. Real-life judges and barristers decided on the best mooters in the heats and final of the mock Supreme Court trials, which involved a complex case of criminal law.

Third year students Roberto Kehinde and Kristian Foged from the Inns of Court Society organised the day at the University’s Highfield campus. “Mooting is very popular at Southampton and we have plenty of opportunity to practise our skills and even take part in national and international competitions,” says Roberto. “It was also a valuable networking event with senior legal professionals present including High Court judge Mr Justice Baker.”

Alex Slater and Emma Styles from Southampton reached the quarter finals. Both are fourth year students who spent a year abroad studying law in Europe as part of their Southampton LLB degrees. “It was a really good and well organised event and a challenge to prepare our material to argue both sides of the case,” says Alex who has ambitions to become a barrister. Emma adds: “It was an enjoyable day and I’m pleased we did well.”

Members of the Law School’s academic staff including Head of School Professor Hazel Biggs joined the invited guests to watch the final moot, which was won by Kaplan Law School.

“This was an extraordinary day for Southampton Law School,” she says. “The students took complete control of the organisation and administration of the event, which ran like clockwork. The mooting competitors demonstrated high quality advocacy skills throughout the day and the final before Mr Justice Baker and his colleagues was both interesting and entertaining as the mooters were required to think on their feet responding to some impromptu questions from the bench. Professionalism and laughter were a fitting way to round off a triumphal day.”