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Simple English definitions for legal terms

Moot Court

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A quick definition of Moot Court:

Moot court is a game that law students play to practice arguing about made-up legal cases. They read a story about a case and write a paper explaining what they think the law should be. Then they pretend to be lawyers and argue in front of judges who ask them questions. The judges decide who did the best job arguing. Moot court helps students get better at reading, writing, speaking, and thinking like a lawyer.

A more thorough explanation:

Moot court is a student activity found in almost every American law school. It simulates the proceedings of appellate courts, tribunals, or international dispute resolution bodies. Unlike mock trial, moot court does not simulate a jury or bench trial. Instead, participants apply the law to the facts of a fictional case, arguing for either the respondent who won in the lower court or for the challenging petitioner.

  • During moot court, participants receive an appellate record of the fictional case and write an appellate brief. They may select the side of the case they wish to represent or be assigned a side. After the brief is submitted, participants prepare for their oral argument.
  • Each round of a moot court competition is presided over by a panel of judges, who may be other law students, law professors, practicing attorneys, or even actual, sitting judges. The judges ask questions during oral arguments, forcing participants to quickly change their train of thought and think analytically on their feet.
  • Law students participate in moot court oral argument exercises as a mandatory part of their first-year legal writing course. They may also participate in optional intramural moot court competitions or compete in inter-school competitions as part of their school's moot court board.

These examples illustrate how moot court works and how it helps law students develop analytical, research, teamwork, writing, time management, and oral skills. Moot court is highly valued in the legal job market for its ability to strengthen these skills.

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Trismegistus
11:47
penn was oct
PuppyBot
11:47
why does everyone want to be a lawyer
PuppyBot
11:47
jacking my style all of a sudden
cumsock
11:49
"But I also want to end on this note. Don't be afraid of being wrong. And what I mean by that is, being wrong about a school. I applied to Princeton coming out of high school and didn't get in. I ended up going to Vanderbilt. I could never see myself having gone anywhere but Vanderbilt." -Spivey
cumsock
11:49
this type of advice makes me so pissed like brotha
Trismegistus
11:50
why
11:51
omg another penn
11:51
its happening
@shaquilleoatmeal: I am now 31 and in group chats with people in their 50s and in their early 20s, as long as it isn't something weird being in the meme chat is chill
Trismegistus
11:51
are people fucking with me or what
siroracle
11:51
The crux of the advice is apply to worse schools and take what ya get
Trismegistus
11:52
does penn call or update to portal/ email?
cumsock
11:52
@Trismegistus: cus how does not getting into the best school in the country and "settling" for one of the most prestigious schools in vandy help anyone realistically
@Trismegistus: ^^^^
11:52
p sure they call
cumsock
11:52
ig it only helps people who are ab to jump off a bridge if they dont get into YLS
Trismegistus
11:53
@cumsock: yeah, im not sure really, i think it's just that, life is what you make it, peace with your fate once it happens? idk, i agree with you though
HopefullyInLawSchool
11:53
Another day another dollar
@cumsock: yeah lmao guy is such a prick, my bad i had to settle for vandy
lilypadfrog
11:54
he is a terrible writer. his personal writing blog is shockingly bad
@lilypadfrog: are there flowers on your lily pad?
11:55
how was your first day of classes @knowledge
@KnowledgeableRitzyWasp: what are legit side hustles you have seen people do in LS?
lilypadfrog
11:56
LSAT tutoring
That is not an option for me lmao
lilypadfrog
11:57
@KnowledgeableRitzyWasp: yeah there are a couple thanks for asking
HopefullyInLawSchool
11:57
Guys this UPenn wave looks fake
11:57
I genuinely hate places that call because it turns things into a day-long stress instead of just being like oop I didn't get an email oh well
Trismegistus
11:58
how does it look fake
pleasepleasepleas
11:58
does Michigan call or email?
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