Moot Court at UC Davis
Established
in 2022
We are a competitive collegiate Moot Court team that competes as a part of the American Moot Court Association (AMCA), currently ranked 7th overall program in the nation and 2nd in Brief Writing.
We strive to strengthen our members' skills in appellate advocacy by competing in AMCA's tournaments utilizing a fictional case problem and applying real case precedents to form an argument regarding constitutional issues.
Nationally Recognized
#2
Appellate Brief Ranking
#7
Overall Team
#11
Oral Advocacy Program
What is Moot Court?
Moot court is competitive appellate advocacy where teams research a hypothetical legal case that are built around a circuit split, and argue both sides of it before a panel of judges. Unlike mock trial, there are no witnesses or evidence, moot court it's pure oral argument and legal reasoning, closely modeled on how real appellate courts operate. A case can be argued in two ways: (1) oral argument and (2) brief writing.
Oral Argument
A simulated appellate proceeding where advocates present legal arguments, outline key points, and answer direct questions from a panel of judges, focusing entirely on applying the law to existing facts.
2. Brief Writing
A brief is a legal document filed with the court persuading the judge to rule in your favor. The brief typically reviews for the court what the case is about, what the law is, and what relief you are seeking.
Why should you join Moot Court?
Find your community
Boost your confidence and collaborative skills
Sharpen your legal writing skills
and public speaking
Professional Networking and Mentorship
Deepen your understanding on Constitutional Law
Road Trips and Post-Round Debriefs
