The FDEF in collaboration with its longstanding institutional partner Clifford Chance kicked off the Moot Court season with an inspiring welcome ceremony at Clifford Chance’s premises in Luxembourg.
The event, held on the evening of 23 October, marked the beginning of this year’s Moot Court activities, bringing together a passionate community of students, coaches, professors, and legal professionals. This gathering not only celebrated the start of a new season but also highlighted the close partnership between Clifford Chance and the University.
Katia Gauzès, Office Managing Partner at Clifford Chance Luxembourg, welcomed the new moot court teams and expressed her joy in hosting the event. She highlighted the importance of intergenerational interaction in the legal field and the firm’s commitment to support young talents like the promising law students participating in the Uni.lu Moot Court Programme. In his speech, Bart Denys, Counsel in investment funds practice at Clifford Chance, put forward the great opportunity that moots offer students to “taste the flavour of what life as a lawyer in a law firm in real life can actually be”. Building on people as the “heartbeat” and the most enduring asset at Clifford Chance, he also underlined its contribution to the edifice of the Uni.lu moot teams’ legal education.
On behalf of the FDEF, Professor Herwig Hofmann, Head of the Department of Law, emphasised the University’s gratitude for Clifford Chance’s support and engagement in the Moot Court Programme by bringing in time, knowledge and know how, which significantly upgrades the moot court experience for students. By enrolling in this programme, students put an extra step in their legal career and show their potential, willingness and ambition as part of their learning process, as he highlighted.
“Mooting is not just about legal knowledge; it is about developing the skills to persuade and respond effectively in real-world legal scenarios”, said Dr Susana Muñoz. As the Moot Court Coordinator at the University of Luxembourg, she presented a detailed Moot Court Programme for the 2023–2024 academic year and emphasised the fundamental role of mooting in experiential legal education. She introduced the various teams, including 25 students enrolled in five masters, supported by 10 coaches and overseen by six professors. The Uni.lu teams will take part in the following competitions: Concours Européen des droits de l’Homme René Cassin, European Law Moot Court Competition, International and European Tax Moot Court Competition, International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition, Monroe E Price Media Law Moot Court Competition, and Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
The programme focuses on developing essential legal skills, such as complex-case analysis, research, effective delivery, both written and oral, the ability to respond promptly and duly to questions, and teamwork. Dr Muñoz also introduced the ‘mooting owl’ as a new symbol for the programme, representing vision, caution, prudence, discretion, and wisdom – key attributes of a successful lawyer.
This year’s moot court cases cover a wide range of unsettled legal issues, offering students the chance to engage with real-world legal challenges. The teams are already hard at work in the written phase of the competitions, supported by PhD students, Faculty members, and Clifford Chance lawyers. Workshops on legal writing and soft skills training sessions are also part of the comprehensive training programme. This overall approach ensures that students are not only academically prepared but also equipped with the practical skills required for a successful legal career.
Finally, this year marks a return to normalcy, with all competitions scheduled to be held in person. Dr Muñoz expressed confidence in the students and coaches, stating “I am confident that our mooting teams will be well-prepared, even for the unexpected, and ready to overcome any challenges”, and encouraged them to fully enjoy a rewarding mooting experience.
The ceremony winded up with networking sessions, offering students the opportunity to engage with their peers and legal professionals, setting the stage for a successful mooting season.
The Uni.lu Moot Court Programme, in collaboration with Clifford Chance, illustrate the dynamic and practical approach to legal education. As the student’s board on this stimulating journey, the guidance and support from skilful professionals guarantee to make this season a unique and enriching experience.