24/01/2022
Calling all future advocates!
The Pembroke Law Society is hosting the brand new Pembroke Advocacy Challenge, comprising of three rounds of hardcore advocacy, with the final round taking place at Gray’s Inn.
Each round will begin as a mock trial, battling against your opponents to prove your facts. Once this is done, the judge will invite you to argue the law based on the facts they accept, requiring you to adapt your prepared cases to suit the facts you have managed to prove.
The difference to typical mooting competitions? It’s closer to real life at the bar- you aren’t handed facts- you need to prove them yourselves.
The difference to typical mock trials? It isn’t exclusively criminal, and there is genuine legal argument involved.
The difference to other competitions? This one is awarding highly lucrative marshalling opportunities to the winners (better than Gray’s Inn offer their own students), as well as 250 pounds each.
Rules
You must sign up as a pair from the same college. The competition will only allow one pair from each college, so if more than one pair sign up from the same college, we will organise a pre moot to select the representatives (note that this might be on short notice to test skills of advocacy and quick-thinking).
There is no experience or year of study bar: the competition is open to all.
Note that you will act as barristers and witnesses, being marked for your performance as witness alongside your legal performance.
The first round will be a filter round with every pair who passed selection. The second round will consist of 6 teams. The final round will consist of two teams who will travel to Gray’s Inn to battle it out for the title.
The dates for the round are as follows:
Round 1: Sunday 6 February
Round 2: Sunday 20th February
Round 3 (Final): Lent Term (TBC)
The topics for the rounds include:
Round 1: Tort
Round 2: Criminal
Round 3 (Final): Contract
We endeavour to have the rounds in person, however understandably, this may have to be changed to online proceedings if required.
Next Steps
If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected] with the following information:
Advocate 1: Name, Course, Year, CRSID
Advocate 2: Name, Course, Year, CRSID
Please also specify your college.
The deadline for applying for this competition is Wednesday, 26th January. You must be available on both dates specified in this message.