MOOTING: A KEY TOOL TO DEVELOP ADVOCACY SKILLS
Advocacy skills, analytical skills, research skills, logical thinking ability, writing skills, public speaking skills amongst others are key abilities one must possess to be a good lawyer or advocate.
Moot court is a co-curricular activity at many law schools where participants take part in simulated court or arbitration proceedings, usually involving drafting memorials or memoranda and participating in oral argument. The phrase “moot court” may be shortened to simply “moot” or “mooting”
This co-curricular activity is essential to introduce students to Advocacy and in the process garner good research and analytical skills.
Advocacy is a skill used by legal practitioners to put forward a particular argument to a court with a view to persuading the court to come to a decision favourable to their client. It encompasses a range of abilities including case analysis, drafting and using skeleton arguments, making oral or written submissions, cross-examining witnesses in criminal trials and being able to put forward a strong and persuasive case. Advocacy begins when you meet a client and continues as you research the case, prepare documents for trial and finally present the case in court.
It is trite fact that oral advocacy in particular is an art rather than a science. It is best done when the advocate remains true to their personality while putting forward a strong argument.
Students become familiar with legal terminologies used for formalities in the courtroom. For instance, terms such as ‘Claimant’ or ‘Defendant’ should be used to describe the parties in civil cases, ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Lordship’ or ‘Your Ladyship’ should be used to address judges. The opposing counsel is referred to as ‘my friend’ if they are a solicitor or ‘my learned friend’ if they are a barrister. Also, instead of saying ‘I think’ or ‘I believe’, advocates use phrases such as ‘I submit’ or ‘It is submitted that. These courtroom customs may seem complex at first but with practice, mastery can easily be achieved.
Imputing Mooting activities either through course work or as a co-curricular activity is advantageous to every Law syllabus.
Bridge House College Student Shines at the 2021 African Schools Mooting Competition
Some of our Law students (a selected team of four members: Nadine Ezenachukwu, Aderonke Ajisola, Chinanza Okoronkwo and Mariam Raji) recently took part in the just concluded 2021 edition of the International Mooting Competition organized by the University of Dundee Law school. This year’s version was transferred to an online format due to the Covid pandemic. Students were provided with cases that they studied very carefully and produced detailed submissions tackling the legal issues raised by the given problem question and the judges asked questions during the competition.
Bridge House college produced the Best Mooter in this year’s competition, Aderonke Ajisola a University Foundation Law Student.
When asked what winning meant to her, Aderonke said “Winning this competition has shown me that nothing is impossible if you work hard and pray. It was a rewarding and beneficial experience for me as I have improved on my legal analysis, arguments and public speaking “.
Aderonke won an award of £100 and a £5000 scholarship to the University of Dundee. She is happy and excited to see what the world holds for her, and we wish her success.
Join us! Application into 2021/2022 session is ongoing, follow the link to find out more: bridgehousecollege.com/admissions For more information please call 08028427208/08187553400 or email admissions@bridgehousecollege.com
AUTHOR
Wilkie Aboyowa Anita (Mrs)
Law Lecturer
LLB, LLM, BL.
