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The English-Speaking Union is currently accepting entries for the 2008-09 ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition. The competition is the largest and oldest of its kind in the country, receiving entries from teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Founded in 1972 as the Observer Moot, it has a tradition of attracting the very best legal brains as its judges and producing the next generation of them from its competitors. The 2007-08 competition was won by the University of Hertfordshire with City University as runners up.
We are delighted that Essex Court Chambers are sponsoring the competition for the ninth year running. Essex Court Chambers is one of the country’s ‘magic circle’ commercial barristers’ chambers and their involvement with all areas of the competition is a great asset. We are also pleased that Legal Week will act as this year’s competition’s media partners.
The competition involves knock-out rounds spread across the academic year. Rounds are held across the country, hosted by entrant universities, until the Semi-Finals and Final in London in June 2009. First rounds must be completed by mid-December 2008. The winning team receives the prestigious Silver Mace, £1,000 each and £1,000 for their institution, while the runners-up receive the Scarman Shield, £750 each and £500 for their institution. The remaining semi-finalists will each receive £250. Prize money is generously provided by Essex Court Chambers.
We welcome entries from any law department in the UK, and encourage those institutions who have not previously participated to take part. To enter please fill out the staff entry form and return it to us no later than Friday 17th October. The form can also be emailed to centre@esu.org. In addition, we require the £25 entry fee (cheques should be made payable to The English-Speaking Union) and a moot problem (which should also be emailed), which may be used during the course of the following year’s competition. For more information on the problem please see the staff entry form. As term has started we ask that you nominate a student contact and that they return their student entry form to us by the same date, Friday 17th October.
Round deadlines will be contained within the competition handbook which will be sent to participating institutions in October, along with more information regarding the administration of the competition, and details of your first round draw. A copy of the handbook will also be available on this website soon. Team places are limited to 64. We will however endeavour to include everyone via by-rounds.
For more information contact centre@esu.org or rosie_unwin@esu.org .