Advice For Clerks And Judges
Judgements should generally be split into two parts. The Judge will give a judgment on the law, followed by a judgment on the moot. The winning team will be the team which has performed best on the moot. The winning team may, or may not, also be judged to have succeeded on substantive legal terms. Judges will receive a marking sheet, according to which Judges may assess individual mooters on the following criteria, with marks out of ten in each category:
Oral Presentation Skills
- Speaks, clearly, fluently, and confidently
- Interacts and engages with the bench
- Appropriate language, tone, and pace
- Appropriate stance and manner
- Links to skeleton argument
- Avoids distracting mannerisms
Structure and Content
- Identifies and adopts a logical and coherent structure
- Advances persuasive argument in support of client’s case
- Responds appropriately to judicial intervention
Judges may also award marks for teamwork. In addition, it is important for Judges to make notes in order to offer mooters constructive feedback. During the moot the Clerk will be responsible for the efficient running of the court, particularly with regard to timekeeping. By way of a printed sign, the Clerk will inform the speakers when they have five minutes, two minutes and one minute of time remaining and when they are out of time. While no time allowance will be given for questions from the bench, the significance of time-keeping will be left to the Judge. Clerks will note whether speakers went over time and by how many minutes. Judges should generally penalise mooters who substantially exceed the time limit. The Clerk will also aid the Judge in their appraisal, where the Judge seeks their advice.