Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: United States Institute of Peace
A moot point is something that people argue about, but it doesn't really matter because it's not important or it's already been decided. It's like talking about something that might happen, but hasn't actually happened yet. Sometimes, people use the phrase "moot court" to talk about practicing arguing about things that might happen in the future.
Definition: A moot point is an issue or dispute that remains unsettled or open to debate. It can also refer to an issue that is impractical, not critical, hypothetical, or academic.
For example, if two people are arguing about whether or not aliens exist, it could be considered a moot point because there is no way to prove it one way or the other. Similarly, if a company is debating whether to invest in a new product that is not likely to be profitable, the decision could be considered moot because it is not critical to the company's success.
In legal terms, a moot point is an issue that has already been resolved, so there is no actual dispute. For example, if a court case is brought to trial but the issue has already been resolved, the case could be dismissed as moot.
It's important to note that in the phrase "moot court," moot is used as a verb meaning to propose an issue for discussion. This is an American usage of the word that is not commonly used in British English.