Enigma’s Rory Smith was a judge at yesterday’s Beginners Cup intervarsity moot between law students from the universities of Plymouth and Exeter. The co-judges were barrister Karen Gillard of Holborn Chambers and solicitor Anne Shears of Gard & Co.
A moot is a legal debate in a simulated courtroom setting and the teams from Plymouth and Exeter attempted to persuade, with reference to case law, statutes, institutional writings and legal principles, the judges of the strength of their case.
The Beginners Cup is held annually and is described by the Plymouth Student Law Society as, “… the perfect opportunity for first time mooters to practice and experience a real moot with the benefit of knowing everyone is in the same boat as everyone who will be competing will be their first moot. It is a competition between the Plymouth Student Law Society and Exeter University’s law society. Although the Beginners Cup is a competition, the day is fun and relaxed focused on giving the competitors a chance to moot on a fair playing field and to gain some insight in to the workings of a moot as well as getting feedback.”
Rory said, “While the students from both universities performed at a high level, the University of Plymouth students were worthy winners of this year’s Beginners Cup. Commiserations to Exeter, whose debating skills were impressive. I would like to congratulate all the students who took part and wish them well on their studies.”
Plymouth’s Matt Monaghan and Will Harding were the highest scoring pair and each was rewarded with a mini-pupillage at Holborn Chambers.
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