Perhaps it is a good time to draw attention to one or two points in connection with the forthcoming Mooting Competition.

The moot problem that has to be submitted as a condition of entry should be carefully thought out so that it raises genuinely moot points in an area of law that is within the normal range of study for undergraduate students.

Do get your lecturer to check it over before you submit it to make sure it is mootable. If you can devise a problem that divides neatly into two parts that will make it easier to split up the points between the leader and junior when it comes to the moot itself. Do try to make sure that the main authority or authorities around which the problem is set are given their Law Report references, if they are available, or at least Weekly Law Reports references if not.

It is very important to read the rules and adhere to them. It is particularly important to stick to the timetable. This is because delay in completing one of the early rounds often results in serious problems fixing later rounds so as to avoid clashes with examinations and assessments. If you do have problems do your best to sort them out by agreement between the teams concerned. Do sort out dates well in advance, so that if there is a lastminute need to reschedule there is still room for manoeuvre within the timetable. It is vital to ensure that those responsible for organisation on both sides are contactable in the runup to each round. A day wasted in vain attempts to get a message through is a day less to spend on preparation of argument, and if your deadline is only two or three days away you make life unnecessarily difficult by being unavailable!

Do pay attention to details. Make sure you have a timekeeper. Sort out whether you are wearing gowns in advance. If you are the home team do give your opponents proper directions and make them welcome when they arrive. It is a good idea to provide some simple refreshments - tea or coffee and biscuits will be fine - merely to point people in the direction of the refectory and leave them to their own devices is unwelcoming!

But above all, remember that the object of the exercise is to develop your mooting skills and enjoy yourselves at the same time. Good mooting!

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