Senior judge takes seat at university for legal competition

STUDENTS have revelled in testing the extent of their legal expertise with a mock court session before Chester Crown Court’s most senior judge.

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The University of Chester mooting competition saw two teams of law students compete in a setting resembling a formal court situation, with Honorary Recorder for Chester His Honour Judge Steven Everett presiding in the bespoke Moot room at the university's Wheeler building.

A moot is a mock court advocacy exercise replicating a case that would be heard in higher appeal courts, such as the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court. It is therefore not concerned with establishing fact, but on establishing the correct interpretation of the law.

Having a real judge enabled students to experience the reality of professional court advocacy. The moot focused on identification evidence and the timing of force in a robbery case, replicating an appeal case at the Court of Appeal, following a conviction at a crown court.