The Rosamund Smith Mooting Competition

Every year Middle Temple hosts a mooting competition for its student members. It is open to both BPTC and CPE/GDL students. The competition is run on a 'knock-out' basis, and students compete in teams of two. The team that wins the moot will go through to the next round. Whilst the initial rounds are not open to spectators, the semi-finals and final take place in Hall after dinner, usually in front of a large audience. At every round, the judge of the moot will be a senior barrister or a judge.

The four students who reach the final will take part in a mooting visit to the United States; visits alternate between the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Each finalist will also receive a wig and gown.

An Introductory Evening will be held on Wednesday 4 December 2019 to provide useful information and tips for registered participants before the competition gets underway.

The Moot Heats will begin in January and continue into May. The semi-finals and the final will be held in Hall before dinner in June and October respectively.

Where possible you should find your own mooting partner before applying to enter the competition. The deadline for applications is 16:00 on Friday 25 October 2019.

Click here to enter a team in the Rosamund Smith Mooting Competition

Please contact education@middletemple.org.uk for further information.

Other Mooting Opportunities

Mooting v. Pepperdine University

Middle Temple usually organises moots with Pepperdine University, an American University with a branch in London. The Pepperdine moot takes place in the Royal Courts of Justice every year and provides the mooters with a truly memorable experience.

Richard Murtagh Memorial Moot

It is yet to be confirmed whether this moot will take place in 2021.

The Willem C Vist International Commercial Arbitration Moot 

Every year, Middle Temple recruits a team of six students to represent them at the Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna.  The team is coached by senior practitioners from Essex Court Chambers and One Essex Court, and students will receive advocacy training as well as attending pre-moots in Munich and Stockholm.  Students are selected using the following criteria: team working skills; organisational and time management skills; academic ability; and drive and determination.  More information can  be found in the relevant document below.

All applications will be reviewed and 10-12 shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.  Interviews will be conducted by the coaches, and will be held online on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October 2020 – applicants should ensure that they are available on those dates.  Successful applicants will be informed of the exact time and date by email.  Please note that it will not be possible to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Want to learn more?
If you would like to attend a Zoom session on the evening of Monday 28 September 2020 to learn more about the moot, please email z.mcglone@4stonebuildings.com for login details.

Applications for the 2020-21 team can be made by sending the following to z.mcglone@4stonebuildings.com by Friday 2 October 2020 at 7pm:

• An email statement of:

• A copy of your CV (maximum 2 pages) and your Middle Temple membership number

Moot Timekeepers

The Inn requires volunteers to act as timekeepers for the Rosamund Smith mooting competition which runs from January through to October every year.

Undergraduates are welcome to volunteer for the role. This can be a great way to get first hand experience of moots and an opportunity to interact with (often very senior!) members of the profession.

Moots are scheduled for 17:30 and last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. There is no formal dress code required for the timekeeper.

Timekeepers for the semi-final and final rounds are also invited to stay for the dinner after the moot.

Membership of the Inn is not a requirement, but students currently studying for the LLB, LLM or GDL are given priority.

If interested please get in touch with Rosalie via r.bower@middletemple.org.uk