Legal Research and Writing

This unique book explores the how-to of mock trials, the experiential learning component of law school, offering valuable guidance and input from experienced students. Divided into two main parts, this handbook offers guidance on both major aspects of mooting: formulating substantive arguments and delivering those arguments persuasively.

This thorough “how-to” guide provides students with a road-map to crafting a successful career as a mooter and future advocate in many different arenas. Using this book as a guide, students will be better prepared to step into their “courtrooms” and present credible and persuasive arguments in a manner corresponding to the finest of advocacy skills.

Chapter 8, Stand and Deliver: Doing a Moot covers the preparation, the writing of a factum, and the presentation of the oral argument.

The Art of Argument explains in a step-by-step process what to do when you first get the moot problem, how to begin researching the subject matter, the emotional highs and lows, why practice makes perfect, how to handle yourself at the competition, and most importantly to have fun. Through the process of mooting you learn how to construct analytical arguments, to present your point logically and soundly and to consider and address the queries and concerns of your opponent and the Moot Master. For a law student there is no greater skill than constructing a logical and compelling argument.

The Art of Mooting distils the theories and principles that support successful moot performances, grounding these in practical examples of how a mooter’s skills may be developed and improved. It is an essential guide for moot coaches, law and advocacy students and academics seeking to improve their skills, and new and existing practitioners.

Offers a step-by-step guide to the process of planning and holding an international moot court. Using a sample case entitled The International Criminal Court: A Moot Court Exercise for Students, the book includes an introduction to moot court and discusses: researching the issues, body of argument, courtroom decorum, how to listen to your opponent, handling questing, dealing with judges and justices, successes and rewards of competition and collateral issues.

Huhn demonstrates that there are five different types of legal arguments (based on text, intent, precedent, tradition and policy), and through myriad examples this book teaches law students, lawyers, and judges how to identify, create, attack, and evaluate each type of argument. The book contains useful advice and illustrations on how to weave the different types of arguments together to make them more persuasive. Huhn describes and explains how lawyers use logic, reasoning by analogy, and policy analysis in resolving progressively more difficult cases.