Lahore University of Management Sciences

Law-482 Moot Court

Instructor
Room No.
Office Hours
Email
Telephone
Secretary/TA
TA Office Hours
Course URL (if any)

Dr. Ali Qazilbash

224
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
ali.qazilbash@lums.edu.pk
356080000, Ext. 8062
8063, 8068

Course Basics
Credit Hours
Lecture(s)
Recitation/Lab (per week)
Tutorial (per week)

3
Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week
Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week
Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week

Course Distribution
Core
Elective
Open for Student Category
Close for Student Category

Spring Semester 2014

Duration
Duration
Duration

75 Minutes

Core

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Moot Court being offered will extend over the Spring Semester 2013. The existing law class will be divided into
teams. The number of moot exercises and participating teams will be determined in consultation with students.
Each Moot Court exercise will comprise of phases. The first phase will commence with introductory sessions, the
purpose of which will be to equip the students with a basic understanding of litigatory practice. These phases will include:
(i) legal research, (ii) case preparation, (iii) advocacy and presentation skills, and (iv) review of the substantive law to be
employed in the moot exercises.
In the second phase, in accordance with the fact pattern scenarios presented to them, each group of students will be
required to draft (i) a memorandum (for the judges) succinctly outlining the (ii) facts of the case (iii) issues arising (iv)
arguments (v) case citations, and (vi) photocopies of the case law to be cited in the legal arguments, for use by the
judges. Students will be given a few days to undertake research and prepare the case. Depending on the complexity of
each moot exercise there will be sessions with the teams and with the entire class if required.
The moot exercises will take place in the third phase. The parties will present their respective arguments before Benches
comprising experienced legal practitioners and / or former judges.
The moot exercises will be video recorded as much as possible to assist the students in advocacy skill enhancement.
COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)

rd

Only for 3 year (Final Year) Law Students

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

The Moot Court aims to develop students potential in advocacy by providing them with the opportunity to
critique each other in a positive and meaningful manner, and to work as individuals as well as team
members steering towards a common goal.
The primary function of the Moot Court activities is to provide a clinical educational experience and any
competitive aspect of the Moot Court is secondary.

Learning Outcomes

The purpose of the Moot Court is to expose the LUMS Law Students to rudimentary lawyering skills, such
as legal research, some drafting, case preparation, and advocacy, through a structured program of
classes and exercises which draw upon and add to the basic knowledge acquired by the students

Grading Breakup and Policy

Assignment(s):
A.

GRADING

General

Each student will be assessed individually for his or her portion of the moot court exercises and for his or her individual advocacy. All
students drafting assessment will be equally affected by the jointly drafted sections of the brief.
B.

Drafting

In assessing a students drafting skills, the judge(s) may consider a number of factors, including:
1.

INTRODUCTION AND ISSUES PRESENTED:

2.

C.

Does the brief frame the facts and issues concisely and intelligibly?
Does the introduction summarize the argument clearly and without omitting any matter of relevance.
Is the brief well written?

LEGAL ARGUMENT:

Does the brief use relevant decisions?

Does it work with the facts of the decisions and avoid merely stating abstract principles?

Does it make reasoned arguments?

Is the organization logical?

Advocacy & Presentation

In assessing a students oral performance, the judge(s) may consider several factors including:
1.

OPENING:
Did the student . . .

Quickly summarize the partys basic position?

Read from a prepared statement, or speak spontaneously and with a command of the situation?

2.

PRESENTATION OF THE MERITS:

Did the student . . .

Effectively maintain a theme?

Make reasoned arguments?

Focus on the important questions raised by the case?

Organize the arguments well?

Demonstrate mastery of the facts?

Exhibit knowledge and understanding of relevant precedent and policy?

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3.

RESPONSIVENESS TO THE BENCH:

4.

Was the student prepared for questions that could be reasonably anticipated?
Did the student respond to the benchs questions and concerns effectively?
Did the student resume his or her argument when appropriate after bench interruptions?

DEMEANOR:
Did the student . . .

Present the arguments smoothly and confidently?

Display a courteous and respectful attitude toward the court when responding to the bench?

Minimize the use of notes?

Maintain eye contact and use appropriate gestures?

Develop a rapport with the bench?

Avoid distracting fillers (e.g., um)?

Home Work:
Quiz(s):
Class Participation:
Attendance:
Midterm Examination:
Project:
Final Examination:

Examination Detail

Midterm
Exam

Yes/No:
Combine Separate:
Duration:
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications:

Final Exam

Yes/No:
Combine Separate:
Duration:
Exam Specifications:

COURSE OVERVIEW
Week/
Lecture/
Module
Learning Skills

Case Preparation
Moot Presentation

NO MIDTERM EXAM

MOOT PRESENTATIONS AS WELL AS WRITTEN SUBMISSION FROM BOTH SIDES

Topics

Recommended
Readings

Objectives/
Application

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Textbook(s)/Supplementary Readings

Cases will be given