Mooting success for team Salford

The two students from the LLB Law course in the Business School came second out of 64 in the ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition. The semi-finals and final took place remotely earlier this month.

Mooting is a mock court hearing that requires participants to analyse a problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions, and present an oral argument. It simulates real-life court procedures and prepares students for the reality of researching, preparing and arguing an actual case.

For getting to the final, where they lost to Kings College London, Shauna Lennon, a final year student, and Alexandria Edgar, a 2nd year student, will now have the opportunity of a mini-pupillage.

Hayley Whitaker, Lecturer in Law at the University of Salford, said: “I’m incredibly proud of them. They have worked exceptionally hard from the start, all the way to the final.

“They really have done themselves and the university great credit. They were professional throughout.”

Alexandria, from Bolton, who is seven months pregnant with her second child, said: “I had gone into mooting not really knowing what it was. It’s been a good experience.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do afterwards but I think now the barrister route is the one I want to take. It was a great experience, I would recommend it.”

And Shauna, 21 from Blakely, Manchester, said: “Nothing compares to mooting, there is so much to gain from taking part. Its enjoyable and challenging. We would look at the problem and wonder how we were going to do.

“It was very satisfying and rewarding to get a problem and have to solve it.”

As well as the pupillage the two have won £750 each, with the university getting £500.

Hayley said: “Mooting and the competition in general aligns with the university’s focus of giving students more than just a degree. It’s the legal skills that will give them an advantage in the graduate job market. I am incredibly proud of the students past and present who have engaged in mooting.”

Last year, Rimsha Qayyum and Bienhameen Hussain, final year students, also reached the semi-finals and have spent the last academic year, coaching, and preparing our current team, and have lead mooting workshops for the internal mooting competition. Hayley said, “it has been a privilege to see how well the students have developed throughout the preparation stages and I am very proud of their efforts”.

The university have their own public speaking society (Mooting, Advocacy, Debating and ADR) for Law students, and those with an interest in law. This enables them to practice mooting for fun and gives them a chance to develop many skills that can go on their CV.

Reflecting on her time at the University, Rimsha offered: “I was a very shy and timid person prior to joining the society, the type that kept herself to herself in lecture halls. However, as I started practicing my public speaking skills in competitions, I found a new voice and confidence”

Now in his 3rd year, Bienhameen reflected on his mooting experiences: “It seems weird to think that when I first started at University, I had never even heard of mooting. I went from that position, to competing in both internal and national mooting competitions, to now teaching other students. It is just a reminder that if you dedicate yourself to something and work hard at it, you can surely achieve what you put your mind to.”