Congratulations to Corpus law students Jacob Simmonds and Yosef Abdelhalim on placing first and second respectively, in the One Essex Court De Smith Moot yesterday, organised by the Cambridge University Law Society (CULS). 

This was the fourth and final round of the competition which started out with 32 students, who were in turn selected from a larger pool of applicants.

A moot is a trial focused on legal, rather than factual, issues, performed by students as part of their preparation for becoming a barrister. Both Corpuscles focused on contract law, spending on average three days preparing for each round of the competition.

We are delighted that our students took the top spots at the fiercely fought competition. As a second-year student, this was Jacob’s first time entering this moot, which is open to experienced undergraduates and postgraduates from across the University. Last year Jacob took second place at the Fledgling Mooting Competition (Corpuscle Libby Evans was first).

Jacob said, "I am very pleased with the outcome, particularly because I got to celebrate alongside a fellow Corpuscle. It is testament to the support and encouragement offered by Corpuscles past and present that Corpus continues to enjoy mooting success."

Third-year Yosef, a previous semi-finalist, said he was thrilled to have bettered his performance since last year.

The Cambridge University Law Society is one of the oldest (founded 1901) and largest student-run societies in Cambridge, with over a thousand members.

The above photo was taken at the moot. Pictured, from left to right: Yosef, Jacob, Sa'ad Hossain KC, one of the two judges and a barrister at One Essex Court who sponsored the moot; Jarret Huang (the other judge, and a barrister at One Essex Court); Rowan Lightfoot (Jesus College); and Arthur King (Trinity College).