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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

Moot Court

Read a random definition: plea in abatement

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.

Moot | Moot Point

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HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
Right. Broken links smh
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