What We Do
At 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, the Moot Court program offers students a unique opportunity to develop essential skills for legal advocacy and reasoning. Through both written and oral exercises, participants engage with complex legal issues, preparing them for future careers in law and other professional fields. Students compete at regional tournaments that typically draw 35–40 teams, with the top sixteen advancing to the national championships, held each February in a major East Coast city.
The impact of Moot Court is far-reaching: on campus, in the community, and in the lives of the students who participate. Graduates of the program consistently describe the experience as foundational to their success. Many have gone on to law school, graduate programs, or professional careers as a direct result of the skills developed in the program.
Key points about ACMA moot court format:
The ACMA moot court format emphasizes appellate advocacy and offers students a comprehensive learning experience. Key components of the format include:
- Focus on appellate advocacy: Unlike mock trials, which deal with trial procedures, ACMA moot court emphasizes the presentation of arguments in an appellate court setting.
- Written briefs: Participants research and write detailed legal briefs that outline their arguments, citing relevant case law and legal principles.
- Oral arguments: Teams present their arguments orally before a panel of judges, who ask questions to test the teams’ understanding of the case and their ability to think on their feet.
- Competition format: Teams compete in regional and national tournaments, where judges evaluate performance based on legal knowledge, argument structure, and presentation skills.