City triumphs at OUP/BPP National Mooting Competition 2010-2011
Rory Clarke, Mark Humphreys and His Honour Judge Gratwicke
The runners-up, Mark Leiser and Andrew Ross of the University of Strathclyde, share £700 between them and the other finalists, the University of Cambridge and the University of Exeter (Cornwall Campus) win £150 of OUP books each.
City University put the ghosts of three previous finals to rest, with this year’s duo emerging triumphant at the final, held on Thursday 30th June at BPP Law School, Holborn.
His Honour Judge Gratwicke, of Chelmsford Crown Court oversaw proceedings keeping the students on their toes with some keen interjections. In his summing up, Judge Gratwicke said:
“I have always felt that the standard of advocacy in this competition is extremely high and this year is no exception. I spend all my listening to advocates and I can tell you that I would be very, very happy to have any of you standing up in front of me in court. Believe me you all didn’t get here without working very hard indeed. At your stage I wouldn’t have got beyond putting my name down on the application form. My advice to you all: be advocates.”
Mark Humphreys, City University, said:
“The best thing about mooting and about this prestigious competition in particular is that it gives us the opportunity to undertake legal research and to focus on a relevant and interesting moot problem. It is the closest thing to the real experience without actually appearing in a courtroom.”
Stella White, of OUP said:
“I am in awe of the dedication shown by these students to mooting and ultimately to their future legal careers. Mooting is something they are doing in their spare time, in addition to their studies, exams and placements because they know that this is what they need to do if they are to stand out from the crowd and be successful in law.”
The fictitious moot problem, devised for the competition by Per Laleng of Kent Law School, was praised by all finalists and by the judge for its relevance and the challenge it presented with no obvious right answer. In The Supreme Court, Clean Dyes Ltd (in liquidation) v Gareth Jones – an appeal and cross-appeal, this problem centred on Mr Jones, a moderate smoker, who has developed bladder cancer. During his employment with Clean Dyes he was exposed to the carcinogenic amines and the case centres on whether it was his smoking or the exposure to carcinogens during his employment that caused his illness.
Teams wishing to enter the 2011/2012 mooting competition can register their interest by email.