The ESU – Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition is one of the longest established national mooting competitions in the UK; the first final was held in 1972. Rounds are conducted over the winter and spring, culminating in the semi-finals at Dartmouth House, Mayfair and the Grand Final in the Royal Courts of Justice in June.
The winning team is presented with the “Silver Mace” and the two winners take away £1,000 each and a further £1,000 for their institution. Runners up are awarded a cash prize of £750 each with a further £500 going to their institution. All four finalists are offered much-prized mini-pupillages at Essex Court Chambers to kick start their careers as advocates.
In 2015, in celebration of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the winners were invited to take part in the “Magna Moot” against the winners of the Inner Temple Inter-Varsity mooting competition on Monday 26th October 2015.