10 Classroom Guide to Moot Courts (2021 Edition)

Introduction

Overview of Moot Courts

A moot court is a role-play of an appeals court or Supreme Court hearing. The court is asked to rule on a lower court’s decision. No witnesses are called, nor are the basic facts in a case disputed. Arguments are prepared and presented on a legal question (e.g., the constitutionality of a law or government action or the interpretation of a federal statute). Moot courts are an effective strategy for focusing student attention on underlying legal principles and concepts of justice.
The strength of a moot court as an instructional strategy is its flexibility. A more formal moot court can encompass several class periods where students study legal precedents, work in teams to shape arguments, practice effective advocacy, and ultimately, conduct a moot court proceeding before an appellate panel of student judges. However, moot courts can be simplified to fit within one class period. Once students learn the purpose and procedures for conducting a moot court, this method can be replicated for use in a variety of teaching situations and time frames.

 Classroom Guide (CUNY Access Only)

License and restrictions

This license allows reusers to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display the material for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

The reusers will not modify, adapt or create any derivative works from Street Law Inc. material.