Fifth consecutive mooting competition win for LJMU law students
LJMU law students Maddy Ellis and Leon Lawton have been crowned winners of the Hundred Court Chambers Mooting Competition (formally the Oriel Chambers Mooting Competition), marking a fifth consecutive win for the university.
Mooting competitions provide law students with the chance to take part in mock legal hearings, with each team taking a side and arguing their case in front of a judge or group of judges. It gives students the opportunity to practice arguing real legal issues while gaining invaluable feedback from practising barristers.
Maddy and Leon went through four mooting rounds since October 2025, competing against 28 other teams from the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University and Edge Hill University.
They were ultimately victorious in the final, hosted at the Athenaeum, against the University of Liverpool. The pair tackled complex legal arguments on psychiatric injury in the final round, impressing judges with their advocacy, legal reasoning, and courtroom presence.
‘Challenging and rewarding experience’
Leon said: “This competition has been both a challenging and rewarding experience, pushing me to grow in confidence and develop my advocacy. Each round brought its own difficulties, requiring careful preparation and the ability to think on my feet—an aspect I particularly enjoyed. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and recognition, and for everyone who made the experience so valuable. Winning is a proud moment, but more importantly, it has strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career at the Bar.”
Maddy said: “As President and founder of the LJMU Bar Society, I am very proud of Leon and I to achieve something for our members to look up to and work towards. Alongside this and our success in the competition, it has benefited me greatly within my desired career as a barrister, as I have obtained an Inner Temple scholarship to study the BPC this upcoming September, proving all of the hard work has paid off.”
The students were supported at the finals by Professor Thompson Chengeta and Professor David Ong from LJMU’s School of Law and Justice Studies.
Maddy and Leon’s achievement is outstanding, and LJMU’s School of Law and Justice is immensely proud of the hard work, discipline, and excellence they have shown throughout the competition. I encourage all our students to engage in mooting, as it offers invaluable opportunities to develop critical practical skills in courtroom advocacy and legal reasoning.
Professor Thompson Chengeta
Further mooting success for Maddy and fellow student Mia
Maddy has also been successful in qualifying for the quarter final rounds of the ESU-Essex Chambers (National) Moot Court Competition alongside fellow LJMU student Mia Kavanagh.
Maddy added: “I also want to extend a huge thanks to LJMU’s School of Law and Justice Studies for your continued support for myself throughout my university career, and throughout the Hundred Court and Essex Chambers Mooting Competitions. Additionally, thank you to Thompson Chengeta, for your continuous support within these external competitions.”
Study at LJMU
LJMU’s School of Law and Justice Studies offers a range of degree courses in criminology, criminal justice, law and policing.
You will be taught by a team of passionate academics and field professionals, many of whom have extensive experience within law enforcement, local courts, prisons and third sector agencies.
