Southampton hosts Inns of Court Society National Mooting Competition

In early Spring, the Inns of Court Society at the University of Southampton hosted its annual National Mooting Competition, in which 14 teams from universities across the country competed against each other in a series of rigorous rounds.

The moot problem concerned the contraction of mesothelioma and was written by Dr Haris Psarras. The two main submissions concerned principles drawn from Tort Law and Insurance Law, as the claimant had worked for multiple employers during the time at which the condition could have been contracted. Ten legal professionals, including barristers, solicitors and a District Judge volunteered their time to help out with the day, judging the various rounds and providing invaluable advice for students on how to improve their legal arguments and oral advocacy.

Following the completion of rounds 1 and 2, the top four teams (Cambridge, City University, and Southampton Law School), were invited to the semi-finals. The standard was very high, but it was the teams from Cambridge and City University that progressed to the final. The moot final was judged by Jemima Bushby and Nicola Maier (Irwin Mitchell), and Emily Lanham (a barrister from 12CP). With just one point in it, it was the team from Cambridge that won the competition.

Head of Southampton Law School, Professor Brenda Hannigan presented the winners and runners up with their prizes. A prize was also given out for the stand-out individual advocate, Bella Cordwell, a first-year student from the University of Southampton.

For more information about Mooting at the University of Southampton, visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/study/mooting.page