Today I tried to deliver a mooting workshop to our Deakin University students from the new fast train in Tanzania with portable wifi. I had to follow up with a video and some notes below which I thought might be of interest to Linked In followers:
- Know the Rules: Each moot court competition has its own set of rules. Familiarise yourself with them to avoid penalties. Take a sneak peak at judges profiles so you can know your audience.
- Grasp the Facts: Thoroughly understand the problem presented. Know the facts inside and out, as this will form the basis of your arguments.
- Be persuasive: Advocacy is an art. Some rhetoric is good. Too much and your career is likely to be on a real stage.
- Legal Research: Conduct extensive research on the relevant laws, precedents, and legal principles. Use a variety of sources including case law, statutes, academic articles, and commentaries. Work as a team and spend time discussing what you have found.
- Current Developments: Stay updated with recent developments in the law related to your moot problem. We are human and can miss something con our own but working in a team and as a team avoids this.
3. Develop Strong Arguments
- Structure Your Argument: Clearly outline your arguments in a logical order. Develop a roadmap that you can present to the judges at the beginning of your submission.
- Anticipate Counterarguments: Think about what the opposing side might argue and prepare counterarguments. This shows thorough preparation and strengthens your case.
- Test out with a non lawyer: Explain the law to your mum / friend / carer who knows nothing of the law to see if it all makes sense. Sometimes judges say they have read your submissions when they haven't so a non lawyer 'road test' is useful.
4. Write Persuasive submissions
- Clarity and Precision: Your written submissions should be clear, concise, and precise. Avoid unnecessary jargon. Don't use weird language you don't normally use.
- Be comprehensive:Make sure all your arguments are in your written submissions in short form so that you can easily refer and over come nerves
- Cite Authorities Properly: Use proper citation methods as required by the competition rules. Ensure that your sources are authoritative and relevant.
5. Practice Oral Advocacy
- Rehearse Your Presentation: Practice your submissions multiple times. This helps with fluency and confidence. Practice in the mirror - it really helps, even if you feel weird at first.
- Mock Sessions: Engage in mock moots with peers or mentors acting as judges. This simulates the actual moot court environment and provides constructive feedback.
- Time Management: Keep track of time during your presentations. Practice delivering your arguments within the allotted time without rushing. some excess words are ok to cover nerves - sometimes better than pauses.
6. Master Courtroom Etiquette
- Dress Professionally: Dress in appropriate courtroom attire, typically a suit or professional business wear.
- Respect the Bench: Address the judges with proper titles and show respect at all times. Use phrases like “May it please the court” and “Your Honor.”
7. Improve Public Speaking Skills
- Confidence: Speak with confidence and conviction. Believe in your arguments and convey that belief to the judges.
- Clarity: Articulate your points clearly and at a measured pace. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly.
- Body Language: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use hand gestures appropriately to emphasize points.
- Use your "court voice" not the voice you use chatting with friends - slow and steady wins!
- Answer Questions Effectively: Listen carefully to the judges’ questions. Answer directly and succinctly, showing that you understand the issues.
- Stay Calm: Remain composed even if faced with challenging questions. Take a moment to think before responding if necessary. Have a drink of water if you need time but be careful not to spill it - your fellow mooter should control the jug.
9. Collaborate with Your Team
- Teamwork: Work closely with your moot team. Share insights, practice together, and support each other.
- Assign Roles: Clearly define each team member’s role in both the preparation and presentation stages.
- Be flexible, inclusive and kind: Motting can be stressful so be aware of this for yourself and others
- Seek Feedback: After each moot, seek feedback from judges and peers. Understand areas for improvement. You probably nailed it even if you didn't win, but always best to ask.
- Continuous Learning: Use each experience as a learning opportunity. Continually refine your research, writing, and advocacy skills. Be resiliant if you ahve a bad day. We all do sometimes.
Excelling at mooting requires a combination of thorough preparation, effective teamwork, continuous practice and a combination of confidence and resiliance. By mastering the skills outlined above, you can become a persuasive and confident mooter, capable of impressing judges and winning competitions and becoming an excellent future lawyer!!
Paralegal | Bachelor of Arts/Law Student at Deakin University
4 个月As one of the attendees of your mooting workshop, we greatly appreciated your diligence, and the beautiful view of Tanzania through the train window!