Summary of "Dundee Law School Mooting Lecture 2 2024/25"

The lecture provides a comprehensive introduction to Mooting, focusing on its structure, etiquette, and necessary skills for students participating in a Moot Court Competition. The session encourages student engagement through a Q&A format and emphasizes the importance of professionalism in legal arguments.

Main Ideas and Concepts:

Introduction to Mooting:
- Mooting is a formal mock court case, specifically an appeal case where students act as lawyers presenting legal arguments to a panel of judges.
- The roles in a moot include appellants (who argue that a previous decision was incorrect) and respondents (who defend the original decision).
Structure of a Moot:
- Each team consists of two competitors (junior and senior counsel).
- The order of presentations is: Junior Appellant, Junior Respondent, Senior Appellant, Senior Respondent.
- Judges may interrupt for questions, known as Judicial Intervention.
Documentation and Bundle:
- A bundle includes all relevant documents, cases, and legislation that will be referenced during the moot.
- The bundle should contain a skeleton argument outlining the submissions.
Skills Required for Mooting:
- Strong legal argument construction.
- Effective oral presentation skills, including speaking slowly and clearly.
- Ability to respond to judicial questions without interrupting the judge.
- Respectful language and formal etiquette, including proper titles for judges (e.g., "My Lord" or "My Lady").
Etiquette and Language:
- Use formal English and avoid informal phrases (e.g., "your honor" is incorrect; use "my lord" or "my lady").
- Address colleagues respectfully as "my learned friend."
- Maintain professionalism and politeness throughout the presentation.
Judicial Intervention:
- Judges may ask questions during presentations, which students should respond to without interrupting.
- It is acceptable to ask judges to rephrase questions if needed.
Marking Criteria:
- Teams are evaluated on various criteria, including legal analysis, argument structure, oral presentation, teamwork, and relevance of authorities.
- A total score out of 100 is given, with each category contributing to the final mark.
Legal Research:
- Emphasizes the importance of thorough Legal Research, using databases and provided materials.
- Students should prepare for rebuttals by understanding both sides of the argument.
Preparation Tips:
- Read and understand the moot problem thoroughly.
- Practice timing speeches and leave room for Judicial Intervention.
- Record practice sessions to improve delivery and pacing.

Speakers:

Rihanna: Presenter discussing the structure and etiquette of Mooting.
Ian: Co-presenter providing examples of formal language and addressing judges.
Deani: Speaker focusing on Legal Research and preparation tips.

The lecture concludes with an open floor for questions, encouraging ongoing dialogue and support among students as they prepare for their Mooting competition.