Student Mooting Guide

Everything you need to prepare for your first moot, from reading the problem to answering the judge's questions, with court-format templates to draft from — second edition, September 2026.

Mooting borrows the language and formality of a real courtroom, which is exactly why it can feel intimidating the first time. This guide takes the mystery out of the process so that you can concentrate on what the judges are really assessing: how well you understand the law, how clearly you argue, and how you respond when you are challenged.

Inside the guide you'll find:

• What mooting is, why it matters, and how a moot runs from start to finish, including the usual speaking order
• How to read a moot problem, stay within the grounds of appeal and plan your arguments
• How to research properly, and how to use AI tools responsibly where your moot allows them
• What a skeleton argument contains and how to write one a judge can follow at a glance
• How to prepare the bundle and take the judge to your authorities
• Oral submissions: the opening, how to address the court, delivery, and handling questions from the bench
• Common first-time mistakes, what to do when things go wrong, and example CV wording for after the moot

Templates ready to draft from

Your download includes three Word templates laid out in court format, each with drafting notes from BLESSING AT THE BAR in the margin explaining what goes in every part and why:

• Skeleton Argument Template, following Court of Appeal practice
• Moot Bundle Index Template, covering ordering, pagination and marking authorities
• Legal Research Note Template, for working through each ground of appeal before you write

You also get the Moot Bundle Checklist, a branded PDF to work through before you file and serve your bundle.

Who it's for

Law undergraduates, GDL and PGDL students, Bar course students and non-law students preparing for their first moot, and anyone who wants a clear, practical refresher before a competition.

Second edition, September 2026 — an 11-page PDF guide, three Word templates and a PDF checklist, delivered as an instant digital download.

This guide is general guidance on mooting and is not legal advice. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced in conjunction with any university, mooting society or moot competition. Every moot is run under its own rules, and where anything in the guide differs from the rules of your moot, follow the rules of your moot.