Birkbeck Law student wins prize in prestigious mooting competition
Dedicated part-time Law student Lisa Blanco has won the Mistress of the Shield Award in this year’s London Universities Mooting Shield
Dedicated part-time Law student Lisa Blanco (pictured, right) has won the Mistress of the Shield Award in this year’s London Universities Mooting Shield (LUMS).
Blanco was presented with the award at the Grand Final on 5 March, in recognition of her “commitment to professionalism, personal development and teamwork” throughout the seven-month competition. Her ability to think quickly and her willingness to step in at the last minute on certain occasions due to unforeseen circumstances made her an exceptional member of Birkbeck’s team of four Law students.
The accolade comes only 12 months after Birkbeck’s mooting team won the Spirit of the Shield award for their dedication and strong performances in last year’s competition.
Blanco is in the third year of a four-year LLB Law degree at Birkbeck’s School of Law. Her teammates for the 201314 competition were Edward Chin, Filipe Esteves, and Omar Khan – all LLB Law degree students.
As part of the competition, Blanco acted the role of both senior and junior counsel numerous times throughout the competition, with one of her teammates as the other counsel. Preparing for each round’s moot involved a significant amount of research into the subject matter, and learning the necessary cases inside out in order to present a verbal argument to a practising barrister acting as a judge. During each round, the Birkbeck team competed against one of the other universities presenting the opposing argument, with the judge deciding which team conducted the best argument.
Blanco, from west London, said: “I was shocked and surprised to receive the award. It is a real honour. I was often asked to take on roles at the last moment for the Birkbeck team, and I gladly did so. The mooting competition provided me with valuable experience as I intend to fulfil my lifelong dream of becoming a barrister. I am really enjoying my Law degree, and am always trying to inspire others to join the Birkbeck fraternity to fulfil their dreams and a get a degree.”
Pat Costall, academic support officer at the School of Law, said: “LUMS is a highly demanding competition, and we consider it to be an excellent training ground for anyone seriously contemplating a career as a barrister. Lisa developed a reputation for her cheerful, supportive attitude to all the students from the opposing teams. Birkbeck’s School of Law is indeed very proud of her, and also of her colleagues for their valiant efforts.”
The London Universities Mooting Shield
Unlike many other knockout mooting competitions, LUMS is a league competition, with moots taking place fortnightly from September to March. Teams accumulate points after each round. This ultimately determines their league position. The aim of LUMS is to prepare students for a life at the Bar and therefore penalties are strictly applied where teams have produced documents late, or in the wrong format, as they would be at the Bar. This constant scrutiny keeps the teams focused throughout the competition and avoids any unfair advantages being gained.
This year eight teams took part in the competition, with the top two progressing to a winner takes all Grand Final at Allen & Overy’s headquarters in the City.
Birkbeck has taken part in the competition since it began in 2007. Its team came second in 2010-11 and third in 2012-13.
Birkbeck students are often asked to take on major roles in the LUMS Executive Committee each year. This year current Birkbeck Law students Adam Callan and Stephanie Carswell were the Master of Moots and President of the competition respectively and are tasked with the organisation of the whole competition.
The 201314 London Universities Mooting Shield was sponsored by Allen & Overy, Field Court Chambers, Five Stone Buildings and Three Verulam Buildings.