Moot points mean prizes for students
A team of legal eagles from the University of Greenwich showed they know a thing or two about arguing by winning a top award at the London Universities Mooting Shield (LUMS). The four law students won the ‘Spirit of the Shield’ after battling through to the top three teams.
Irvine Chiwara, Gabriel Olufemi, Godwin Nyengedza and Madison Kaur took on eight other London universities over six months in a series of mock-cases, known as moots. The Greenwich team had its knowledge of the British legal system put to the test, focusing on a different area of law each round. They were aided in the competition by fellow student Neelima Begum, who acted as the team’s ‘Moot Mistress’ who organised the team’s admin. Madison Kaur won the Best Mooter accolade four times in the competition.
Teaching Fellow Sarah Greer and Professor Mark Pawlowski from the university’s Department of Law help students prepare for competitions such as the LUMS by running moot workshops. Students are encouraged to moot as an extra-curricular activity to complement their studies.
Sarah Greer believes the team’s success is testament to their hard work:
“Mark and I are very proud of the team, who have worked consistently hard during this competition. Mooting helps students develop their oral advocacy, which is an essential legal skill. It also develops their abilities to construct and defend a legal argument, and to read cases. Given the competitive job market for law students, it adds a useful dimension to their CVs.”
The success of the moot team is to be further recognised by the university which has chosen to reward the students with the University of Greenwich mooting award at a moot evening later in the year.
To find out more about studying law at the University of Greenwich, please call 0800 005 006 or visit www.gre.ac.uk.
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Notes:
About the Undergraduate Department of Law:
There has been a long and successful history of law teaching at the University of Greenwich. The department is committed to excellence in teaching, with a strong emphasis on pastoral care and support.
In addition to enabling students to embark on a legal career, the law degree also provides a sound training for a range of management careers outside law, whether in commerce, administration or teaching.
About the London Universities Mooting Shield:
London Universities Mooting Shield's (LUMS) principal aim is to provide a friendly atmosphere in which members of the participating universities can develop their mooting skills and in turn bring together the student Law and Bar societies of their respective institutions.
LUMS prides itself on being student run, managed and organised. The progression from the law textbook to legal practice often comes as a shock to the newly recruited lawyer. LUMS allows students to build their legal practical skills in a down to earth, supportive fashion. It is with this ethos in mind that the competition developed. LUMS is sponsored by leading City firm Allen & Overy, and number of leading barristers’ chambers.