Mooting?

[MoonlightSonata]

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Yes there is a Beginner's competition at UNSW, for first years.

But take note: mooting is unlike debating. If debaters get up there and start acting like it is a debate, they will get shut down quite quickly.

It is more a formal conversation than a speech.

[huangker]

Originally Posted by michaeln36

I want to do law next year, but unfortunately never got involved in debating etc. in high school.
For mooting, is there like a beginners one u can do, where i dont get pwned by all the hardcore debaters?

Well debating can be so wishy washy. Mooting is much more technical. You dont need to have done debating. I didnt have any debating experience but had a great run this is year. I cant wait to do external mooting.

[derek.wong]

Previous experience of debating and mooting seems to be a very common concern. Having been involved in debating in both High School and university, I can firmly say that it is of very little advantage.

This is for three reasons. First, mooting is unlike debating. The style required and the depth of research / knowledge is different. This is not to say that debating requires no knowledge, indeed it is far from that. The critical difference is that mooting requires specific knowledge on a very narrow area, meaning that you are expected to present a smooth but readily understandable submission on a complex area of law.

Secondly, the style of speaking required is different. Indeed, I found that my debating experience was of significant detriment - one is often tempted to use rhetoric and other verbal techniques - generally not accepted in mooting.

Lastly, everyone is new to mooting in the beginners competition. Therefore, no-one has a fundamental advantage over anyone else. It is true that debaters may be more confident in standing up and delivering submissions, but it does not mean that they will win.

[flamearrows]

The D-Dawg speaks!

I think what Derek is trying to get across is that court etiquette and the need to prepare technically precise speeches means that using debating techniques will get you shut down real fast.

Mooting is pretty fun, though