WSLSA Junior Criminal Law Moot

 

The WSLSA Junior Criminal Law Moot Competition is designed for students who are interested in building confidence, developing advocacy skills and experiencing mooting in a supportive environment.

This competition is an excellent opportunity for students who are new to mooting or looking to strengthen their oral advocacy, legal reasoning and written submissions skills. Participants will engage with a criminal law problem, work collaboratively in teams, and receive constructive feedback from legal professionals and academics.

No prior mooting experience is required. Students who are curious, keen to learn or looking to try advocacy for the first time are strongly encouraged to register.

Competition Divisions

In 2026, WSLSA is considering running the Junior Criminal Law Moot across two divisions to better support students at different stages of their law degree and mooting development.

Foundations Division

The Foundations Division is intended for first- and second-year law students.

This division is suitable for students who are looking to build confidence, develop foundational advocacy skills and experience mooting in a friendly and supportive environment.

Beginner Mooters Division

The Beginner Mooters Division is intended for later-year law students who have limited or no prior mooting experience.

This division recognises that students often discover mooting at different stages of their studies. Later-year students who are new to advocacy competitions are encouraged to participate, build confidence and develop their skills in a supportive setting.

WSLSA may review registrations and, where required, allocate students to the appropriate division to ensure the competition remains fair, accessible and development-focused.

Key Details

  • Eligibility: Open to law students who are new to mooting or early in their advocacy development

  • Divisions: Foundations Division and Beginner Mooters Division

  • Format: Teams of two or three students

  • Registration: Students may register as a team or individually

  • Individual entrants: Individual students will be allocated to a team where required

  • Feedback: Participants will receive constructive feedback from legal professionals and academics

  • Awards: Awards will be awarded for the winning team, best oralist and best written submissions

  • Registration closes: 20 August 2026

Who Can Register?

Students are encouraged to register if they are interested in:

  • developing confidence in oral advocacy;

  • improving legal research and written submissions skills;

  • working collaboratively with other students;

  • engaging with criminal law in a practical way; and

  • gaining experience in a friendly and supportive mooting environment.

This competition is particularly suitable for students who have not mooted before.

Register