Congratulations to Nicole Kapu and Duncan Graves from Oxford Brookes University, who have won the Silver Mace and been crowned the winners of the prestigious ESU-ECC National Mooting Competition 2015. Thomas Sweeney and Laura Nelson from Northumbria University were awarded the Scarman Shield as runners-up, following a high quality and hotly contested final in a packed court at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Now in its 43rd Year, the competition has a distinguished reputation and is intended to give those currently studying law an opportunity to develop and showcase their advocacy skills. Rounds were conducted over the winter and spring, culminating in the semi-finals at Dartmouth House, Mayfair and the Grand Final in the Royal Courts of Justice on 23rd June 2015. In addition to the teams from Oxford Brookes University and Northumbria University, Claire Leonoff-Harris and Sarah Cook from Manchester Metropolitan University and Natalie Cargill and Jen Coyne from Kaplan University successfully reached and took part in the semi-finals.
Mrs Justice Andrews chaired the panel of judges, alongside members of Essex Court Chambers Stewart Boyd QC and Martin Griffiths QC.
This year, in celebration of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the winners are invited to take part in the “Magna Moot” against a team from the Inner Temple, which will take place in the Dining Hall at the Inner Temple itself.
Registration for next year’s ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition will be open at the beginning of the academic year. Details can be found on the competition’s website at: http://www.nationalmooting.org/
