Extramural Moot Court Competition
The Extramural Moot Court Board oversees selecting, coaching, and sending about 20-25 teams of UVA Law students to compete in moot court and other law related competitions against other law schools. It is run by a three-person "Executive Board" of students on the Lile Moot Court Board and about eight other students that comprise the Extramural Moot Court Board. Here is how it's structured.

Nationwide, extramural advocacy competitions are on the rise. In 1969, only about 5 such competitions existed. Today, there are more than 50. Since 2000, UVA Law student interest in competitions has skyrocketed.

UVA teams are coached by officers of the neighboring Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, which provides course credit to the approximately 20 JAG officers who coach our teams.

How to Become a Competitor
Extramural Moot Court is open to all law students (1L, 2L, 3L, and LLM), depending on a particular competition’s rules. UVA is very unique in allowing 1Ls to compete. Tryouts to compete are held in the fall. The tryout process is straightforward:
  • Filling out a short information form (on the website)
  • Writing a one-page statement describing your (1) interest in moot court, (2) advocacy experience (high school, college, or law school), and (3) any relevant work, class or other experience
  • Delivering a 10-15 minute oral argument in business attire before a panel of EMC Board Members (based on a sample brief provided).
2Ls who participate successfully through the First Round of the Lile Competition (or do exceptionally well) may receive a waiver.

Help While Competing
The Extramural Moot Court Board helps competitors in several ways.

  • First, a Board Member acts as a student coach of each team, answering questions, arranging moots, and ensuring deadlines are met.
  • Second, the Board assigns a JAG School officer or other professional lawyer to act as a coach.
  • Third, the Board has prepared materials to help you understand the moot court process (Handbook) and draft your brief (a model brief, a template for your brief, an annotated sample brief, and a "how to" on using MS Word).
After the Competition
UVA Law students are very successful in extramural competitions. A partial listing of awards is available. After the competition, the Board reimburses you for appropriate expenses. 		Key Documents

Tryouts

Sign-up Form

All competitions list

 

Competition Help

Handbook

Model Brief Template

Model Annotated Brief

MsWord "How to"

Uniform Brief Checklist

 

Post-Competition

Reimbursement Request

Exit Survey

Board Application

 


Moot Court is "indispensable to give the students insight into the practical application of the leading principles of law."
Professor John B. Minor, Fourth Professor of Law