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DCU to virtually host 2020 national moot court contest

This year's 11^th National Moot Court Competition, hosted by Dublin City University (DCU) and sponsored by A&L Goodbody, will take place on Saturday 21 November.

The annual inter-law school event is designed to give law students an opportunity to put their study into practice.

There will be no entrance fee this year and law students from across Ireland and the UK are called upon to enter before the deadline of 5pm on Monday 26 October.

This year, for the first time, the competition will take place in an entirely virtual format.

Each institution can enter a maximum of five teams with teams comprised of three students.

This year's problem revolves around the tort of medical negligence.

Submissions

Students are required to prepare written submissions for the plaintiff/appellant and written submissions for the defendant/ respondent.

The entry deadline is 5pm on Monday 26 October.

Team entries can be emailed to nationalmoot@gmail.com

The recorded oral submission deadline is 5pm on Friday 6 November with written submissions to arrive by the same time.

The competing finalists will be announced on Friday 13 November.

This year, there are prizes for the winning team, best speaker in the final and best memorials. 

A total of 33 teams took part last year with entrants from 12 universities across Ireland and the UK.

Live final

The live final of the competition will be chaired by Mr Justice John MacMenamin of the Supreme Court (DCU's Judge in Residence).

Dr Aisling De Paor, DCU School of Law and Government, said: “With the virtual format of the event this year, which will provide a unique advocacy experience, we expect that this will further increase the interest and accessibility of the competition for law students all over Ireland and further afield.

Clinical legal education

“We are delighted to open the competition up to students from outside of Ireland, which will further develop students' learning and development in clinical legal education, while also facilitating cross-collaboration between students studying across Ireland, the UK and elsewhere.

“The benefit for students is immeasurable – participation in this competition develops practical skills in advocacy, oral argument and legal thinking – all essential skills for future lawyers. In addition, it fosters valuable transferable skills such as team work, communication and confidence that students will use in all aspects of their lives. 

“It is also a fun way for students to gain an insight into the practical legal environment and the law in action!”