Judge Gratwicke crowns City University mooting champions

City University has won the Oxford University Press (OUP) and BPP National Mooting Competition 2010-2011. The two winning law students, Rory Clarke and Mark Humphreys, received a certificate, trophy, £750 each and a chance to gain experience with BPP Law School’s Pro Bono Centre.

The runners-up, Mark Leiser and Andrew Ross of the University of Strathclyde, share £700 between them and the other finalists, the University of Cambridge and the University of Exeter (Cornwall Campus) win £150 of OUP books each.

City University put the ghosts of three previous finals to rest, with this year’s duo emerging triumphant at the final, held on Thursday 30th June at BPP Law School, Holborn.

His Honour Judge Gratwicke, of Chelmsford Crown Court oversaw proceedings keeping the students on their toes with some keen interjections.  In his summing up, Judge Gratwicke said:  “I have always felt that the standard of advocacy in this competition is extremely high and this year is no exception.  I spend all my listening to advocates and I can tell you that I would be very, very happy to have any of you standing up in front of me in court.  Believe me you all didn’t get here without working very hard indeed.  At your stage I wouldn’t have got beyond putting my name down on the application form.  My advice to you all: be advocates.”