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Mooting

Mooting at LSE

Mooting is the practice of arguing hypothetical legal cases before a mock judge, thus developing oral and written advocacy skills in a simulated court setting. It is valuable for law students to build confidence, sharpen analytical thinking, and gain practical experience of advocacy in a professional environment, preparing them for careers such as litigation, arbitration, or negotiation.

Mooting has a proud tradition in the LSE Law School, with our teams typically progressing to advanced rounds in the most prestigious international competitions. We have longstanding success in the Vis (commercial arbitration), Jessup (international law), and Oxford Intellectual Property moots. In recent years, we have expanded into newer international moots, such as the Cross Examination Moot and the International Deal Negotiation Competition.

Yet there are literally dozens of opportunities for LLB and LLM students to advance their oral and written advocacy skills through mooting at LSE, including:

  • competitions hosted by the Law School
  • competitions organised by the Bar & Chambers division of the LSE Law Society
  • major international competitions

This page outlines each of these three categories, then showcases some of LSE’s recent success stories. It ends by explaining how to get involved as a competitor or to support LSE by volunteering or donating towards our mooting activities.

But first, what do students say about their mooting experiences at LSE?

What students say

Representing LSE at the Vis was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my academic journey. It not only sharpened my legal research and advocacy skills and offered opportunities to connect with members of the legal community from around the globe, but it also gave me lasting memories and friendships. It showed me a practical side of international arbitration I had not seen before, and, most importantly, it allowed me to have an 8-month journey together with incredible people!

LSE team for 2025 Vis Moot

The time, grit, and sheer brainpower we invested in the Jessup were returned in multiples: the relationships built within and beyond our team, the skills learnt under the tutelage of our coaches, and the practical legal knowledge that you simply cannot learn in the classroom. We couldn’t recommend it more to aspiring international lawyers, advocates of any kind, and every intellectually curious law student.

LSE team for 2025 Jessup Moot

It was both challenging and rewarding to take part in the moot; cross-examination required specific lines of questioning and a certain narrative-building that we had never encountered before. Examining real quantum experts and trained witnesses under time constraints provided an authentic glimpse into the oral advocacy and quick thinking that are necessary in practice. Collaborating as a team also taught us to work as a unit, strengthening our skills of clear communication and adaptability. We found the competition to be a highly enjoyable intellectual challenge.

LSE team for the 2025 Cross Examination Moot

Competitions hosted by the Law School

The Law School itself hosts several moots, which are organised or supported by academic staff:

Competitions organised by Bar & Chambers

The executive committee of Bar & Chambers organises many competitions for students from LSE and other universities. It also selects teams to represent LSE at external competitions organised by other universities. Last count, there were about 30 competitions in total.

Many of these moots and the LSE teams are supported by academic staff, including:

  • Ambassador’s Moot (criminal law)
  • Amicus Moot (international human rights law)
  • Dame Frances Patterson Moot (UK Environmental Law Association)
  • Herbert Smith Freehills Competition Law Moot
  • Justice Defenders Moot (UK human rights law)
  • Lawyers Without Borders Human Rights Moot (European human rights law)
  • Women in Law Moot (criminal law)

Major international competitions

The Law School has funded many successful teams to represent LSE at major international competitions, who receive special support and coaching from academic advisers and external coaches, including barristers and arbitration practitioners.

Such competitions include:

For more information on these competitions, you may contact any of the academic advisers listed above.

Recent success stories

How to get involved

Dr Oliver Hailes is Academic Director of Mooting and is the first point of contact to make any enquiries about mooting opportunities at LSE. He may be contacted at o.hailes@lse.ac.uk

The students selected to represent LSE in external competitions are typically asked to make a written application and oral audition.

To find out about upcoming calls for applications, students are advised to pay attention to their email inbox and to follow Bar & Chambers on Instagram: @lsebarchambers

Incoming LLM students are advised to make enquiries with Dr Hailes before the start of the academic year in case a call for applications is distributed over the summer holiday period before you have access to an LSE email account.

Each year there may be paid opportunities for LLB, LLM and PhD students to coach mooting teams.

How to support mooting at LSE

LSE is always looking for the support of generous alumni and other friends of the Law School to ensure that we can keep offering students a wide range of mooting opportunities.

There are two main ways to support mooting at LSE:

  • Volunteer your time as a coach or a judge.
  • Donate to help cover the costs of supporting our teams.

If you wish to volunteer, please email Dr Hailes.

If you wish to donate, please email regulargiving@lse.ac.uk or click one of the links below:

Every gift you make, no matter the size, is a demonstration of your support for the Law School and an investment in the future success of its students.