Tia and Jake make it four Mooting wins in a row

LJMU students Jake Appleton and Tia Katona emerged victorious in this year’s Oriel Chambers Moot Court Competition.

Mooting is a mock trial where two sides argue a case in front of a judge.

It is now the fourth year in a row, LJMU has won the prestigious Liverpool competition.

Jake and Tia had survived a rigorous knockout format to reach the final where they ‘argued their case’ as if in an Appellate Court or the UK Supreme Court.

In a fiercely contested final, judges Yaqub Rahman and Mark Cooper, from Oriel Chambers and Michael Armstrong, from Atlantic Chambers, unanimously agreed that the 2025 edition featured the highest-quality mooting in the competition’s history.

Jake, a final year LLB student, said: “The whole experience was really enjoyable - but winning was even better! It was a lot of hard work but our preparation really paid off.

“You really feel part of the legal profession when mooting; you can put forward legal arguments in a way which a barrister would.”

And he said that practising mooting at university has really set them up for a career in the courts.

“The ‘tough’ part is dealing with judicial interventions. It appears judges ask tougher questions when you are presenting very well. The importance here is to remain articulate in your responses - and to be confident!" he said.

“A career in law - and certainly at the bar - is incredibly competitive," Jake added. "To win a competition like this one gives you a way of standing out - it shows that your advocacy skills are already very strong!"

Beverley Caddick-Kala, Subject Leader in Law at LJMU, said: “Jake and Tia demonstrated exceptional legal acumen and persuasive advocacy skills. This outstanding performance reflects their dedication to teamwork and passion for the law. We are incredibly proud of Jake and Tia and congratulate them on their victory.”

Mooting co-ordinator Professor Thompson Chengeta also commended the students, stating: “Having witnessed their dedication since 2024 - countless late nights and weekends of hard work - I admire their brilliance, resilience, and determination. There is no doubt in my mind that Jake and Tia will go on to excel as barristers in their field.”

The Oriel Chambers Moot Final was also attended by Professor Dan Silverstone, Director of the School of Law and Justice Studies and by Tia’s mother, Nisha Katona, the LJMU Chancellor and herself a LJMU law graduate.