Leicester Law School
Legal competitions
Competitions are a big part of student life for law students at Leicester, with events organised and hosted in partnership with Leicester University Law Society (LULS). They are a chance to try out legal skills in a friendly setting, meet other students and build confidence along the way.
No previous competition experience is needed. Students can start without knowing exactly what to expect and build confidence through practice, support and feedback. Whether the interest is advocacy, negotiation, mediation or commercial awareness, there are different ways to get involved.
Why take part?
Taking part is a practical way to build confidence and try out the skills used in legal work. Students practise speaking clearly, listening carefully, preparing an argument, working with others and responding to questions in the moment.
They are also a good way to try things out. Some students discover they enjoy mooting, client interviewing or negotiation more than they expected. These experiences can be useful for applications and interviews, but they also help students work out what interests them.
"Getting involved in competitions felt a bit daunting at first as I'd never done anything like it before, but it ended up being one of the best things I did at Leicester. It improved my confidence, advocacy and legal analysis, and helped me secure mini-pupillages and work experience. If you're thinking about taking part, I'd say go for it. The worst that can happen is you've given it a try."
THOMAS WYATT - PRESIDENT LEICESTER UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY 2026/27
Mooting
Mooting is one of Leicester’s best-known competition activities. Students research a legal problem and present their arguments in a court-style setting. It can feel daunting at first, but it is also one of the best ways to build confidence in speaking, preparing and thinking on your feet.
Students can build experience through Leicester University Law Society’s mooting competitions, including Junior Mooting, Senior Mooting and Speed Mooting, with opportunities to take part in external competitions such as the ESU Moot, BPP Advocate of the Year Award and Inner Temple Moot. Mooting is especially useful for students interested in advocacy or the Bar, but the skills are valuable across a wide range of legal careers.
Other competitions
Mooting is not the only way to compete. Mock trials give you a feel for how a case is put together, from evidence and witnesses to arguments in front of a judge or judging panel.
Client interviewing is about meeting a client, asking the right questions and working out what they need. Negotiation gives students the chance to act for a client and try to reach a practical agreement. Mediation focuses more on listening, problem-solving and helping people move towards common ground.
Commercial awareness activities help you connect law with what is happening in business, society and the wider world. Together, these competitions give you practical experience that can help with placements, vacation scheme applications, training contract applications, pupillage preparation and graduate recruitment.
Support, workshops and feedback
How to get involved
For current opportunities, sign-up information and competition updates, students can visit the Leicester University Law Society competitions pages.