OVERVIEW
Autumn is a typically a busy period for prospective pupillage applicants. The rush is on to secure those final mini-pupillages, make contacts at law fairs and secure the final CV-making achievements that one hopes will make all the difference.
Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on this process. Overwhelming numbers of chambers have had to suspend their traditional mini-pupillage programmes. A number of adaptable chambers have made plans to offer virtual alternatives. A select few innovative chambers have taken this further, harnessing the challenges of Covid-19 into new opportunities for students to engage with chambers.
One such initiative was the first-ever Quadrant Chambers Virtual Speed Mooting Competition which took place on Wednesday, the 28th October.
The Participants
Mooting does not normally conjure images of students huddled over laptops, carefully positioned against the least embarrassing background their flats have to offer, the occasional cup of tea alluringly stashed just of out frame.
This, however, was the experience of 64 mooters from across the country who were drawn from a pool of 400 applicants to participate in the moot.
Events such as this are one of the rare silver-linings of the response to this pandemic. Moving to digital platforms has made it much easier for students away from London to participate in events. The final saw me compete against the very impressive Holly from my living room in Edinburgh while she was in Nottingham. During the few minutes we had while the judges were deliberating, we both remarked how much of a challenge it would have been to attend London mid-week for the event.
There was also a palpable sense of camaraderie among participants; small breaks before and after rounds allowed participants to exchange stories of the challenges they faced in their part of the country and how different law schools were responding to the crisis. Law is a notoriously competitive profession. However, at a time when students are increasingly isolated from their campuses and fellow students, this event was a great opportunity to reach across the aisle and remind ourselves we are all facing this year’s unique challenges together.
The Problem
This was only my second moot so please take my insights on this subject with the very generous pinch of salt my inexperience invites.
However, speed moot organisers seem to steer clear from the grand debates of law when they set their subjects. After all, there is only so much you can get through in a seven-minute speech. Quadrant Chambers showed no such qualms. The moot problem was based on the quintessential tension between the doctrines of consideration and duress as they pertain to variation promises. A particularly apt topic, one might argue, given the dramatic impact Covid-19 has had on existing contractual arrangements.
Rather than arguing on a relatively obscure legal principle, this problem allowed participants to engage with key debates in the law of contract in resolving a practical dispute facing a commercial tenant and his landlord. The facts and the clients might have been fictional, but the practical commercial issues they give rise too are all too real. It probably says a lot that even in mooting, Quadrant wanted the discussion to be about a concrete commercial problem-solving through the law rather than purely academic legal discussion.
The Competition
The logistics of the competition must have posed a challenge in themselves. Sixty-four contestants competing at up to twelve simultaneous moots along with a concurrent programme of presentations on pupillage at Quadrant. As if this were not complicated enough in itself, all this had to run on a software platform which was relatively new to Quadrant and completely new to the participants.
In the event it was impressive how seamlessly everything ran. My own background in the cruise industry has taught me to appreciate the hard work and behind-the-scenes coordination that makes it possible for things to run without a hitch. One was only occasionally able to get a glance of the (otherwise invisible) admin team. Case in point, when it came to the final of the competition, we were supposed to click our way through to the front stage of the virtual auditorium. The software, apparently sharing my disbelief that I made it to the final, refused to admit me to the stage. Before I even had the chance to ask for help, I was joined on screen by a member of the tech support team who was somehow both disarmingly pleasant and typing so feverishly you would think he was auditioning for a part in a remake of the Matrix. A few seconds later – I was told I was ready to go. The software persisted in denying me my seat at the virtual stage, but a workaround had been found which allowed the round to proceed seamlessly as planned.
The Judges
The moot was judged by members of chambers across all levels of seniority. It was truly impressive that so many of the chambers’ barristers and arbitrators came together to dedicate their evening to running this moot. Judges were allowed a few minutes in which to give feedback and invariably offered insightful suggestions for improvement. What was particularly inspiring, however, was the extent to which members of chambers went to bring their feedback to life with personal insights about what had worked for them in court or what they liked to see as arbitrators.
Judges did not shy away from making potent interventions calculated to see how well you think on your feet and can back up an argument. These interventions also offered a chance to gauge which arguments worked and which needed to be adapted or thrown out entirely.
I found that I left the competition with an appreciation of just how much I have to learn about being an effective advocate, but also with a sense of accomplishment as to what I had managed to improve on during the day.
Conclusion
The inaugural Quadrant Chambers Speed Moot was a hugely enjoyable opportunity to improve advocacy and get to know Quadrant Chambers.
Those of us lucky enough to participate were left with an impression of a chambers which works seamlessly as a team, puts commercial problem-solving at the forefront of everything it does and invests wholeheartedly in its people – even if those only there for the day.
The challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic have brought into sharp relief the importance of swiftly adapting to changing circumstances. Quadrant Chambers has displayed an admirable innovation in turning a challenge into an opportunity. This speaks volumes as to the support on offer to those lucky enough to secure pupillage with Quadrant and for clients seeking to navigate these challenging times.
Emmanuel Michelakakis, University of Edinburgh
Life during a pandemic is completely altered for all of us, to be able to audience an event like Quadrant Chambers Virtual Speed Mooting Competition was truly an amazing experience. Whilst the competitors were engaging in the moots, sessions were held for the spectators. After these sessions, spectators had the privilege of watching the final of the competition. Each session was comprehensive and clear, offering invaluable information about life at the commercial bar. The evening began with general networking in the main hall, allowing students, pupils and barristers to interact and share experiences. The opportunities for socialisation were available throughout the evening in between the sessions, and made the event very personable.
Main Hall
The Main Hall was in frequent use, an interactive set up allowed users to ‘move around’ and speak to other attendees. Between sessions and at both ends of the evening, the Main Hall was open for visitors to chat freely. This feature made the evening feel much more personal and collaborative, especially as there was the option to speak over video call instead of purely in a chat.
Session 1- “Life as a Pupil at Quadrant” - Celine Honey and Benjamin Joseph
After lots of chatting and advice-giving in the Main Hall, the first session began. Celine and Benjamin were very personable and relatable, and outlined how their time as pupils have been. This included summarising the responsibilities they undertook and the day to day life of a pupil. Both noted how much their legal skills had improved as pupils, and answered the tide of questions regarding the application process. This session was just a brief glance over life as a pupil at Quadrant, but was a very handy overview for prospective pupillage applicants.
Session 2 - “The Application Process and Some Helpful Tips” - Koye Akoni and Will Mitchell
This session addressed the process applicants go through to gain a pupillage at Quadrant. The session was very educational, and hit the main points of unease for prospective pupillage applicants. Both Koye and Will emphasised the importance of advocacy and leadership skills, particularly written advocacy. The necessity for strong legal research abilities was also highlighted. With the theme of the evening in mind, I was reminded of my own mooting experiences and how much these experiences had enhanced my legal research skills. Many questions were asked and answered about the application process, but the piece of advice that stood out most to me was that prospective applicants should remain confident in their abilities no matter the outcome of their application.
Session 3 - “Is the Commercial Bar for Everyone?” - Poonam Melwani QC and Ruth Hosking
The answer to the key question of the session seems clear: no, the commercial bar is not for everyone. But that is not to say it is only for one type of person. This session touched upon many key issues to do with the type of people who are suited to the bar in general, as well as specifically to a career in a commercial discipline. It is assumed that a person who is suited to a career at the bar will have exceptional analysis and advocacy skills, but attention to detail was underlined as particularly important for a career in commercial law. Although commercial chambers undoubtedly exist where affability is not a priority, it was reiterated that life at Quadrant is not for those who do not wish to be part of a community. Both Poonam and Ruth spoke openly about issues with diversity at the bar. As a student, it is especially jarring to peer beyond a law degree, comprised of a female majority, to the male dominated bar. I came away from this session with a sense of empowerment and an assurance that although the bar may not be for everyone, it can be for anyone.
Session 4-“But, What does a Barrister at Quadrant Chambers actually do?” - Paul Downes QC and John Russell QC
For those who are undecided as to which discipline to choose, this session gave an insight into real life as a commercial barrister. For the speakers, what appeared to be the most invigorating part of the job is the advocacy the job demands. Both Paul and John praised the variety of work that the job offered alongside the challenges that came alongside it. Front line legal work has a sense of reality that other professions may not include, change can be seen right in front of you. Other benefits of the job also cropped up, such as the flexibility allowed through self-employment. John and Paul took the audience through some of their first hand experiences, offering an authentic insight into life as a commercial barrister. The main take away from this session was that commercial law is much more exhilarating than it may seem at first glance.
Conclusion
The evening ended with the final round of the virtual speed moot and both competitors making excellent submissions. I think I speak for all those who were audience to the final when I say the final was very impressive to watch. The finalists showed excellent advocacy skills and were clearly exceptional mooters.
I found the evening very educational and hope Quadrant choose to conduct the event online again next year, as this disbanded any need for attendees to be based in London. All of the sessions were incredibly useful, and I cannot thank the speakers enough for their time in preparing these sessions.
This event was an impressive adaptation to the times. Despite its virtual nature, it still had a personal feeling that made the event interactive and unique. This event was an admirable success from Quadrant, and I hope to be in attendance of the same event next year.
Scarlett Wilson, University of Dundee