The final day of the 48th English-Speaking Union – Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition took place on Monday 4 January 2021.
The moot, which is the oldest mooting competition in the UK, was held virtually for the first time this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Semi-Finals
The first semi-final was between the University of Hull and University of Salford, judged by The Hon. Mr Justice Martin Griffiths and Richard Ridyard. The team from the University of Hull were declared the winner. The second semi-final was between Queen Mary, University of London and University of Kent, judged by Andrew Hochhauser QC and Eric Baskind. The team from Queen Mary were declared the winner.
The Final
The final, between Queen Mary, University of London and University of Hull was judged by the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Rt. Hon. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, The Rt. Hon. Lady Justice Geraldine Andrews and The Hon. Mr Justice Simon Bryan. The mooters from Queen Mary, University of London were declared the winners.
As with previous years, the winners received a prize of £1,000 each and their university also received a donation of £1,000. Their names will also be engraved on the Silver Mace displayed at the Dartmouth House offices of The English-Speaking Union. The runners up received £750 each and their university received £500. The names of the runners-up will be engraved on the Scarman Shield, also displayed at Dartmouth House. The four semi-finalists received £250 each and all four finalists will be offered a mini-pupillage at Essex Court Chambers. The winners of this prestigious mooting competition go on to represent the UK in the Commonwealth Mooting Competition during the years in which the Commonwealth Moot takes place.
The Competition is run by Eric Baskind, senior lecturer in law at Liverpool John Moores University and supported by members of Essex Court Chambers.
