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 will be held online and are not open to spectators, the semi-finals and final take place in Hall before a dinner, usually in front of a large audience. At every round, the judge of the moot will be a senior barrister or a judge.
Each finalist will win a wig and gown. In addition, they usually take part in a fully funded mooting exchange with a US university (either Pepperdine University in California or University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill). These trips are currently on hold due to Covid-19.
An Introductory Evening will be held on Monday 6 December 2021 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 8:00 on Monday 25 October 2021.
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 competition takes place in the Royal Courts of Justice every year and provides the mooters with a truly memorable experience.
Pepperdine University School of Law invite interested students from Middle Temple to take part in the annual Royal Courts of Justice Moot Court Competition to be held on 18 November 2021 at the Royal Courts of Justice from 6.00pm to 8.30pm, followed by refreshments at a nearby pub. Please note that this event is not a qualifying session. More details are in the invitation letter which you can download from this page.
This year we will be choosing up to 8 Middle Temple moot participants at random to compete. There will be a choice of a criminal or a civil case.
Apply to take part
Your application is due on or before Wednesday, 20 October at 5pm. Once you have been accepted and confirmed you will be put in touch with your Pepperdine partner.
The Willem C Vist International Commercial Arbitration Moot
The prestigious Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is being held online between Saturday 9 April and Thursday 14 April 2022. The competition, which took place annually in Vienna until the pandemic, attracts nearly 400 teams from around the globe. As part of the Middle Temple team, you will be competing against international teams of law students and trainee lawyers and arguing your own case before some of the world's leading arbitrators.
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 6 and Thursday 7 October 2021 – 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.
To apply, please prepare an email statement of:
- A maximum 80 words on why you want to be part of the Middle Temple Vis team; and
- A maximum 200 words, setting out how you meet the criteria described in 'What are we looking for?'
Send this with a copy of your CV (maximum 2 pages), and your Middle Temple membership number, to: z.mcglone@4stonebuildings.com by Friday 1 October 2021 at 7pm.
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. Early rounds will be held online, so you can timekeep from home!
Timekeepers for the semi-final and final rounds are also invited to stay for the dinner in Hall 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 Alex via a.baguley@middletemple.org.uk