Mooting Competition

 

The Family Law Mooting Competition is run by Educational Engagement in partnership with the Family Law Bar Association, local barristers’ chambers, and the School of Law at the University of Leeds. It takes place in the autumn term.

 

What's involved?

College/school teams of between three and five year 12 students are paired with undergraduate Student Volunteers currently studying Law, along with local family law barristers in order to tackle a ‘moot problem’ – a fictionalised family law case, based on the sort of matter family law barristers might work on. Each team is allocated a ‘side’ and is tasked with writing submissions to present in front of other teams and a family judge.

Participants receive three training sessions on the University of Leeds campus, take part in a heat in our on-site courtroom, and finalists receive further training in chambers before appearing in the family court in Leeds for the final.

In 2023 we have been pleased to expand this project to four teams from local schools and colleges, who have worked with local barristers from Spire, Parklane Plowden, Broadway House and Park Square chambers.

 

Why a mooting competition?

The aim of this project is to give year 12 students an insight into the role of a barrister by developing advocacy skills and having the opportunity to explore family law and child welfare in depth. We hope to help raise aspirations by demystifying the role of a barrister and by providing close networking and teamwork opportunities with these professionals. Students build confidence in their public speaking and teamwork, and have the challenge of presenting in front of peers, legal professionals, and judges. Working with Student Volunteers on the University campus also gives participants the opportunity to see what it is like to study Law at Leeds.

Previous participants have been awarded a monetary prize as well as having received mentoring from legal professionals subsequent to the competition.

We work with teachers/student advisors to select students who meet our Access to Leeds criteria,  who may be interested in pursuing Law, and who would benefit from this engaging and challenging experience. Once students have been selected, teachers/student advisor participation is minimal as the planning and communication for training, the heat and final is done by the Educational Engagement team.

If you would like more information about the mooting competition, please email Verity Bedford-Read, Social Science Outreach Officer, at v.bedford-read@leeds.ac.uk