Students enjoy tough test of legal knowledge in mock court final before real Chester judge

The University of Chester mooting competition saw two teams of Law students compete in a setting resembling a fully formal court situation, with Honorary Recorder for Chester His Honour Judge Steven Everett presiding in the bespoke Moot room at the University’s Wheeler building.

A moot is a mock court advocacy exercise replicating a case that would be heard in higher appeal courts, such as the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court. It is therefore not concerned with establishing fact, but on establishing the correct interpretation of the law.

Having a real judge enabled students to experience the reality of professional court advocacy. The moot focused on identification evidence and the timing of force in a robbery case, replicating an appeal case at the Court of Appeal, following a conviction at a crown court.

Appellants, representing the defendant at first instance for this moot case, were Louis Smith and George Swindles, while respondents – representing the Crown – were Serena Cornes and Megan Arnold.

After providing his judgment on the case and declaring a retrial necessary, HHJ Everett provided feedback to the students. Commenting on the very high quality of all participants, the judge declared the appellants as winning the moot.

The students had reached the final after a competitive semi-final judged by Andrew Ford KC from 7 Harrington Street Chambers. Andrew had also provided students with workshops on advocacy, which provided learning form a highly experienced practitioner.

This was the culmination in learning for the students, having completed several workshops and practical learning opportunities to enable them to develop their advocacy skills within the Law School.

Serena Cornes said: “With a lot of encouragement from my professor, John Morrow, I built up the courage to take part in my first mooting competition, an experience I'm truly grateful for.

“After working closely with Andrew and developing our advocacy skills, my partner and I were thrilled to make it to the finals. It was an incredible journey that pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me real confidence in my future career path. Having HHJ Steven Everett judge the final was the cherry on top of a fantastic experience, and I can't wait to take part again.”

Megan Arnold added: “Mooting has been such a valuable experience. Advocating in front of a judge has provided me with a newfound confidence and the feedback received from both Judge Everett and KC Andrew Ford is something I will carry with me for the rest of my career.

“This mooting competition gave a real insight into real court advocacy. Despite how nervous I was during this experience, I have never been prouder of myself, and this is all thanks to our incredible lecturer John who has been so supportive from the beginning.”

For more information about mooting at the University of Chester, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/faculties/arts-humanities-and-social-sciences/school-of-law-and-social-justice/law/mooting.

Main image: HHJ Steven Everett with mooting competition finalists.

Second image: The final was held in the bespoke Moot room in the University’s Wheeler building.  

Third image: Students delivered their legal arguments in a formal court setting.