Guidance Documents
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these documents, please contact Richard at competitions.aslm@gmail.com.
OVERVIEW OF A TRIAL
First, the Opening-Closing Barrister addresses the Judge, outlining their team’s legal argument, and explaining what evidence they have, as well as what evidence they will need to obtain via witness examination.
Then, the Chief Examiner will call the team’s Witness to the stand, and proceed to examine them in order to obtain the bulk of the evidence the Barrister needs to make their argument.
Later, the Cross Examiner will interrogate the opposing team’s Witness, to obtain any further evidence needed, and to undermine the narrative being spun by the opposing team.
After all examination is completed, the teams have a few minutes to reconsider their submissions in light of the evidence before the Court—both favourable, and not.
To finish, the Barrister will again address the Judge, delivering the team’s final argument incorporating the law and the facts, and having adapted any necessary changes. The Barrister aims to show how the facts do (or do not) satisfy the law, such that their client should win the legal case.
We would encourage students and staff to watch this brief introduction to mooting. Although uploaded by an Australian university, the principles broadly apply to the moots in ASLM Competitions. ASLM does not own this video or Youtube channel. All rights for the below video belong to Bond University.
