Mooting

Themis School of Law boasts an outstanding mooting programme, offering undergraduate law students the opportunity to participate in an extensive range of competitions, both national and international.

What is Mooting?

Mooting is very different, albeit with a few similar elements, to other forms of public speaking. It is a very celebrated legacy in the training of lawyers, spanning over many centuries. It essence with practice and instruction it teaches lawyers the art of persuasive and skillful advocacy. It is the focal feature of the Bar Vocational Course where rigorous training is offered to graduates in order to improve their argumentative and analytical capabilities.

The moot court competition mimics how an actual court hearing would be (usually at the stage of an appeal against a decision made by the judge). The first step is for participants to analyze a given set of facts and a prior decision as set out by the judge, research all the points of law present in the appeal (usually two), prepare written submissions regarding the moot problem, and finally, present their arguments orally in front of a panel of judges. The area of law that is inherent in the moot problem is usually one that is complex, uncertain, or subject to recent developments.

Further, the conduct of participants follow the conduct of an actual court proceeding, thus familiarizing students with courtroom protocol: the judge enters the room, the mooters and judge bow to one another, the court clerk announces the issue, the mooters introduce themselves and are then called upon to deliver their submissions, in turn, the judge asks questions from them, the mooters rebut the opposing arguments, the court adjourns, and finally the judge reenters with his decision, comments, and feedback.

Why Mooting?

Although there are numerous reasons why students (should) moot we have listed its key advantages: It facilitates students:
  1. 1- In their awareness and appreciation of complex and varied legal issues,

  2. 2- In their skills of advocacy, legal research, presentation, organisation, and legal writing,

  3. 3- In working as a team and learning from their team members, and

  4. 4- In future jobs, as it vividly illustrates eagerness towards advocacy and their competence in the legal profession.

For most students, mooting is a challenging and intellectually stimulating activity. Even though it can be very intimidating at times there is no doubt about it being both rewarding and just plain fun.

Themis School of Law has one of the best mooting programmes in Pakistan. At Themis School of Law our students have the opportunity to participate in international and national mooting competitions in addition to internal moot tournaments. Students will have regular mooting workshops and training at Themis School of Law to ensure that each student reaches his/her true mooting potential.