University News Last updated 20 March 2014
Last week another team fell victim to Birmingham City University’s formidable pairing of Ellis Isherwood and Joshua Longhorne, as they triumphed against the University of Bedfordshire in the third round of the English Speaking Union's National Mooting Competition; a victory which takes them into the final eight.
The English Speaking Union's (ESU) National Mooting Competition - mooting being a hypothetical case argued by law students in a court room setting - is the largest and oldest of its kind in the country and has traditionally attracted the brightest legal minds. The overall winning team will receive a prize of £1,000 each, as well as a silver mace, whilst the University at which they study will also receive £1,000. They will also go on to represent the UK in the Commonwealth Mooting Competition. All four finalists will be offered a mini-pupillage at Essex Court Chambers.
Senior Lecturer in Law Sarah Cooper said: “The ESU’s national mooting competition is very prestigious, tracing back to the 1970s. Ellis and Joshua have beaten off extremely tough competition to reach the quarter-finals and have developed academically and practically along the way. They have been praised highly by the judges, and should be able to use their experiences in the competition as a springboard to success in the legal profession. Everyone at the University is very proud of them.”
Following victories over Coventry and Hull in the earlier rounds, the pair found themselves against a team from the University of Bedfordshire; but they were no match for the imperious form of Ellis and Joshua, who are now a mere two rounds away from the final.
Ellis said: "We are really excited to be in the quarter final of the ESU mooting competition, having won against some fierce advocates. Mooting allows us to enhance our research skills and develop a legal argument in preparation for a career as a Barrister or Solicitor."
Ellis and Joshua will face a team from Liverpool John Moores University in the quarter finals.