Mooting Success for King’s Inns Students in International Mooting Competitions

International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot 2023

Following on from our historic win in the International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot in 2022, in which the King’s Inns team came first in the world, we are delighted to report that the King’s Inns ICC team made it to the semi–final of the same competition this year, where they were judged by Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa of the ICC. 

Coming up against a tough field, the team performed very well throughout the competition, winning a speaker prize for runner–up best Government Counsel oralist (Pierce O’Meara), and narrowly lost out on a spot in the final. Team members Julie Mac Namara, Chelsey Healy, Kian O’Connell, Nathan O’Regan and Pierce O’Meara travelled to the International Criminal Court in the Hague in June 2023 to participate in the competition, following months of teamwork and preparation. 

The team consolidated King’s Inns excellent record in this competition since first entering in 2018, following which we have reached the quarter–finals, semi–finals, and finals, and placed third, second and first in the world in recent years.

Telders International Law Moot Competition 2023

The King’s Inns also excelled in the Telders International Law Moot competition 2023, which took place in the Peace Palace in The Hague in June 2023. The King’s Inns team, comprised of Isabel Doyle, Orla Doolin, Katherine Landy and Thomas Fleming, ranked 10th overall for best Respondent team and 11th for best Applicant memorials. The team members prepared written arguments on complex issues of Public International Law, including State responsibility for internationally wrongful acts, and the meaning of pollution pursuant to UNCLOS, and competed orally over four rounds against teams from all over Europe. The final of the Telders Moot competition was held in the Peace Palace before Judge Hilary Charlesworth of the ICJ. 

The teams’ successes would not have been possible without the hard work of our mooting coordinator and coach, Céile Varley BL, who was assisted by Gary Moloney BL. Céile and Gary worked hard to ensure that the teams were fully prepared for the rigours of these international competitions, which were held in person for the first time since 2019. Both practising barristers and successful former mooters themselves, Céile and Gary provided guidance and training to the teams ahead of the international rounds of the competitions. 

What are the benefits of taking part in international mooting competitions?

Both the ICC and Telders Moots require teams to grapple with complex questions of international law. Extensive research must be carried out, before each team drafts and perfects written memorials of their arguments. Teams are marked on these written memorials as well as on their oral advocacy during the competition. Team members must be prepared to give up a substantial amount of personal time in order to prepare for and participate in international mooting competitions, but the rewards are enormous: improved legal analytical skills, experience of carrying out complex research, the opportunity to improve written and oral advocacy skills and – importantly – the chance to work as part of a team under time–pressured conditions and to develop important interpersonal skills.

Mooting Programmes at King’s Inns

New students enrolling in King’s Inns (as well as continuing students) are encouraged to take part in our mooting programmes at King’s Inns, which include not only external mooting teams but demanding internal mooting competitions.

Experienced mooters who would like to participate in external moots will be able to apply to interview for a spot on the team at the beginning of the academic year 2023. Spaces on these teams are limited, but all keen mooters are welcome to take part in the Brian Walsh Memorial Moot, the final of which is held annually in the Four Courts, judged by four senior members of the judiciary.This year’s finalists were Rachael O’Byrne and Thomas Fleming, who were judged by a court comprised of Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne (Supreme Court), Ms Justice Mary Faherty (Court of Appeal) and Mr Justice Conor Dignam (High Court). 

Students new to mooting are encouraged to participate in the Maidens’ Mooting competition, aimed at beginners.