Two Law students have made it to the semi-finals of a prestigious national mooting competition.
Date: 26 May 2017
Sarah Harty and Daniel Dawson (pictured), both first year Graduate Diploma in Law students, have made the semi-finals of the ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition.
A mooting competition simulates an appeal court hearing, in which participants analyse a problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions, and present an oral argument. Moot problems are typically set in areas of law that are unsettled or that have been subject to recent developments and usually involve two grounds of appeal, argued by each side.
“We never expected to get past the first round, so I’ll probably be a bag of nerves for the semi-finals in Mayfair,” said Sarah Harty, one of the students in the competition.
“It’s been a real confidence boost to have got this far, even if Mayfair turns out to be Waterloo. Getting through to the finals would be fantastic though, not least because it would mean a mini-pupillage at a top set.”
The previous round of the competition was held on Friday 12 May and Sarah and Daniel competing against Queen Mary University of London. They were coached by their tutors, Barrie Goldstone, Head of Law at London Met, Dr Mischa Allen, senior lecturer in Law, and Dr Caroline Derry, senior lecturer in Law.
“I am over the moon that we have managed to win every moot so far in this competition!” said student Daniel Dawson.
“Considering neither myself nor Sarah have ever mooted before I feel very proud to be able to represent London Metropolitan University and to get so far. We couldn’t have done it without all the support and guidance from Barrie Goldstone, who has dedicated hours and hours of his own free time to this competition, and for that I sincerely thank him. Fingers crossed for winning the whole competition, it would be fantastic to gain a mini-pupillage at such an esteemed chambers!”
The ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition is one of the longest running national mooting competitions in the UK; the first final was held in 1972. The winning team is presented with the ‘Silver Mace’ and the two winners take away £1,000 each and a further £1,000 for their institution. Runners up are awarded a cash prize of £750 each with a further £500 going to their institution. All four finalists are offered much-prized mini-pupillages at Essex Court Chambers to kick start their careers as advocates.
The semi-finals will be held at Dartmouth House, and the grand final will take place in the Royal Courts of Justice. Both the semi-finals and the final will take place on 20 June 2017. The same topic will be used for both the semi-finals and grand final.
