Faculty supports Oxford fresher mooting event

Moot judges Michael Upton, Dr Jordan English and Henry Fahrenkamp with the four finalists.

FRESHERS at Oxford gathered on campus last weekend to compete in a mooting event organised by the Oxford Commercial Chancery Law Society (OCCLS).

The moot, held at Magdalen College in Oxford, was sponsored by the Faculty of Advocates. The participating students were judged by Dr Jordan English, a Fellow of Law at Magdalen College, Henry Fahrenkamp from Serle Court Chambers, and Michael Upton, Advocate.

“Having competed in a similar event when I was a fresher I, as well as Kabir – one of the other moot organisers – know how helpful it can be to get exposed to mooting early on in your legal career,” said Luke Gillespie, co-president of the OCCLS and a second-year law student at Oxford University. “We hope that the moot has helped all of the participants to improve not only their advocacy skills but also their knowledge of Roman Law. Leading on from that, we hope that it will have created an interest in perhaps practising in a civil law jurisdiction in the future,” he added.

“Many of the best advocates – and public speakers – first learned how to speak clearly, logically and persuasively as student mooters, so of course the Faculty of Advocates is always glad to be able to help mooting societies,” said Mr Upton. “To return to Oxford was a privilege and a valuable opportunity to remind its impressive under-graduates of the long tradition of Oxbridge graduates joining the Scots Bar and indeed the Scots Bench.”

“We hope next year's OCCLS presidents will be willing to do something similar,” said Mr Gillespie.