Mooting
Mooting is CULS' flagship advocacy programme, giving students at every stage of their legal education the chance to argue points of law before judges drawn from the profession. Overseen by the Master (or Mistress) of Moots, the department runs a full calendar of internal, national, and intervarsity competitions across Michaelmas and Lent, supported by sponsorship from leading sets of chambers.
Internal Moots
Our internal competitions cater to mooters of every level of experience, from complete beginners to those with several rounds of advocacy already behind them. Some are individual competitions and others are contested by teams; some are open to all, while others are restricted by college or require previous mooting experience. Each is generously supported by sponsoring chambers, who provide moot problems, judges, and prizes, and who typically host a reception or dinner for finalists and participants. They are a fantastic way to build confidence in oral advocacy, receive detailed feedback from practicing barristers and judges, and meet fellow mooters across the university. Two of our staple moots each year are Fledglings, a beginner-friendly competition with no experience required, and De Smith, our most prestigious individual competition, which requires some prior mooting experience. The full roster of internal mootsfor the year is confirmed and announced at the start of Michaelmas.
Speed Moots
Speed Moots offer a lower-commitment, single-session format, run in partnership with sponsoring chambers, giving students an accessible introduction to oral advocacy.
National and Intervarsity Competitions
Beyond our internal programme, CULS selects and prepares teams to represent Cambridge in national mooting competitions, including the OUP & ICCA National Mooting Competition, the ESU-Essex Court National Moot, and the Michael Corkey QC Criminal Law Moot, among others. We also organise intervarsity fixtures against universities including Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE, and UCL, held both in person and online.
Training and Support
Doing a first moot can feel like a daunting task and is something that does not come naturally for everyone. For those new to mooting, we run an Introduction to Mooting workshop early in Michaelmas Term. The purpose of this workshop is to give a detailed but accessible explanation of the basics of mooting, advocacy skills and etiquette, and what can be expected if you choose to give mooting a try. Click HERE to view our mooting guide!
Together, these competitions make Mooting one of CULS' most active departments, offering students a genuine taste of courtroom advocacy and invaluable experience for those considering a career at the Bar.
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Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court: Cambridge won the competition. The Cambridge students were Esmée Cadogan, Nick Warrier and Harry Staddon. Esmée Cadogan won Best Advocate of the Final.
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Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot: Cambridge finished as world runners-up, placed second for the Claimant Memorandum and received an Honourable Mention for the Respondent Memorandum. The Cambridge students were Dawn Chow, Sam Moore, Ewan Crease and Thomas Loke Zhih Hahn.
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Landmark Chambers Annual Property Law Moot: Cambridge won the competition. The Cambridge students were Jacob Simmonds and Rowan Lightfoot.
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Nottingham Moot Cup, Advanced Category: Cambridge won the competition. The Cambridge students were Jacob Sawyer and Esmée Cadogan. Esmée Cadogan won Best Advocate.
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Kingsland Cup and Prize Moot: Cambridge finished as national runners-up. The Cambridge students were Nick Warrier and Chanakya Seetharam.
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National Law Student Triathlon: Cambridge won the competition. The Cambridge student was Esmée Cadogan.
Mooting Achievements
Competitions
The Competitions Department expands CULS's advocacy programme beyond traditional mooting, providing members with opportunities to develop the practical legal and commercial skills increasingly valued across the legal profession. Through a varied programme of competitions, workshops, and practitioner-led events, the department welcomes both law and non-law students at every level of experience.
Working closely with the Cambridge University Commercial Negotiation Society (CUCNS) and the Cambridge University Arbitration Society (CuArb), the department delivers competitions in negotiation, arbitration, drafting, commercial awareness, and other practical legal disciplines. These events enable members to strengthen their communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking while experiencing forms of advocacy widely used in professional practice.
Accessibility is central to the department's approach. Introductory workshops provide students with the knowledge and confidence to participate for the first time, while advanced training sessions support those looking to refine their skills and compete at a higher level. Dedicated beginner competitions ensure that students can gain experience in a supportive and welcoming environment before progressing to more advanced events.
The department also seeks to expand opportunities for Cambridge students to represent the University in national and international competitions, including overseas negotiation and arbitration competitions. These experiences allow members to develop their advocacy skills while strengthening Cambridge's presence within the wider legal community.
Complementing the competitions programme, the department hosts practitioner-led talks and panel discussions exploring developments in commercial law, alternative dispute resolution, and legal practice more broadly. Together, these events provide members with a well-rounded introduction to the practical skills and professional experiences that increasingly define successful legal careers.
A comprehensive calendar of competitions, workshops, and training events will be published throughout the year, ensuring members can make the most of every opportunity the department has to offer.