Edinburgh Law School celebrates over three decades of mooting excellence
Fri 12 June 2026
On Friday 8 May, almost 70 alumni, students, staff, and members of the legal community came together to celebrate more than 35 years of mooting at Edinburgh Law School.
The event recognised the generations of students, alumni, and colleagues who have shaped the School’s mooting tradition, while also celebrating the friendships, professional networks, and shared experiences that continue to grow through mooting today.
Guests heard from a range of speakers throughout the evening. Dr Deval Desai, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations and Reader in International Economic Law, opened the event by reflecting on the importance of mooting to the School, and on the role it plays in building lasting relationships between students and alumni.
Dr Desai noted that many alumni remember mooting as one of the most formative and rewarding aspects of their time at Edinburgh, and highlighted how events such as this help alumni stay connected both to one another and to the continuing life of the School.
The Rt Hon Lord Doherty, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and Edinburgh Law School alumnus, reflected on his own experiences as a student and on the value of mooting within the legal profession. He spoke about the importance of clear advocacy, careful preparation, and intellectual curiosity, encouraging current students to embrace the opportunities mooting offers both inside and beyond the classroom.
Fellow alumna and Honorary Professor Jacquelyn MacLennan also shared memories of her time involved in mooting, reflecting on the friendships and professional relationships that began through the mooting community and continued throughout her career.
School Mooting Co-ordinator Agata Daszko and Mooting Society President Diarmuid Starrs spoke about the strength of the current mooting community and the role mooting plays in enriching the student experience at Edinburgh. They highlighted the way mooting helps students develop advocacy and analytical skills while also creating opportunities to connect with peers, alumni, and practising members of the legal profession.
Agata reflected on the collaborative spirit of the mooting community, noting that students often form lasting friendships through preparing and competing together, while alumni continue to support the programme as judges, mentors, and guests.
Following the speeches, guests gathered for the unveiling of a new trophy cabinet and commemorative boards honouring mooting prizewinners from across the past three and a half decades — a lasting tribute to the generations of students who have contributed to Edinburgh’s mooting tradition.
The evening provided an opportunity not only to celebrate the School’s mooting achievements, but also to strengthen connections between alumni, current students, and staff. For many attendees, it was a reminder that mooting is not only an important part of legal education at Edinburgh, but also a longstanding community that continues long after graduation.
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