ABOUT US
What is Moot Court?
In the American judicial system, when a party in a proceeding believes an issue of law has been erroneously decided, they may appeal that decision to a higher court. Moot Court simulates that process by giving competitors a fictional fact-pattern with two distinct legal issues that have, in the universe of the competition, been appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Each team is comprised of two students, who research and argue both sides of their respective issues using real case precedent. SUMC primarily participates in the American Moot Court Association’s nationwide tournaments, where teams may compete in both oral advocacy and brief-writing.
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Oral advocates each present ~10 minute arguments in front of a panel of judges usually comprised of practicing attorneys. Moot Court is much more conversational than many similar activities; as in the real Supreme Court, rounds are ultimately meant to be an ongoing discussion between the bench and the advocates from both sides before them, not a series of memorized speeches. To that end, competitors are expected to be able to fluidly discuss relevant case law and respond to the opposing team’s arguments.
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For the brief-writing competition, teams choose a side (either the party appealing the case or the one defending the decision below) and write a 25-page brief for the party they represent, conforming to the Supreme Court’s requirements for briefs on the merits (Rules 24, 33, and 34 of the Court). Competitors will learn how to structure written briefs and how to use legal citations in a well-constructed argument.
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Our members develop the skills real lawyers rely on the most: legal research, brief-writing, Bluebooking, and conversing with judges. Even if you’re not intent on law school, practicing public-speaking, maintaining poise and confidence under pressure, and constructing well-supported arguments will serve you well wherever you go.
