iMAC Rules

Rules can affect your score

These rules are not exhaustive and may be supplemented by the UKLSA according to the needs of the competition. The smooth running of the competition is of primary importance and the UKLSA retains discretion to decide upon any matters that are not covered by these rules.


1.   Entry requirements

  1. Each team can have one or two members: one-student entries are accepted to not disadvantage those who cannot find a mooting partner.
  2. Mooters/Advocates can be students of any discipline or graduates at pre-qualifying stage. Graduates are accepted to provide opportunities for those who have graduated and are still looking for a place to complete the practical training.
  3. If you are a graduate, you need a letter of current status (to confirm you are not a qualified lawyer). This can be from your university or employer.
  4. Prospective law students may join the competition if their institution confirm registration on the programme.
  5. Pre-university students may also enter the competition.
  6. Replacement teams are allowed in exceptional circumstances.

2.   Submissions

  1. Time available is 15 minutes for each mooter/advocate. Where there is only one member for team, then time available it 30 minutes.
  2. The team will fist make submissions representing one party and then for the opposing party. This feature of the competition is introduced to prepare advocated to analyse the case from both sides, and to ensure fairness in the decision making (moot problems are generally easier for one side). This procedure will also make advocates more aware of the harmful tactics lawyers often use, and which should be eliminated.
  3. Teams must submit documents and make oral submissions in English.
  4. Skeleton arguments should be submitted by email and oral arguments should be submitted through a format that is easily accessible e.g. dropbox link or private channel on youtube.com, named ‘iMAC submissions by [enter name of institution]’. If you are a graduate, you can enter the name of your organisation or your own name, if you are not representing an organisation.
  5. It is your responsibility to ensure quality of recording (e.g. no background noise, quality sound and picture).

3.  Judging criteria

  1. Submission are judged in accordance with advocacy rules as taught at the English Bar. It is your responsibility to learn these skills.
  2. Should you wish to train beforehand, there are a number of short course available you can choose from.

4.  Mooters should be reliable.

  1. Except in extenuating circumstances, advocates must keep their commitments to participate in a moot.
  2. Advocates should minimise the number of enquiries, keeping in mind that iMAC organisers are busy people who organise the competition on a voluntary basis.

5.  Moots are open to the public.

  1. Selected oral submissions might be put on the UKLSA youtube channel. If you do not wish your video to be publicly available, please state so clearly on registration.

6.  Points can be deducted.

  1. As in real life proceedings, failure to comply with the these rules can affect the outcome of your case/score.

7.  Mooters can be disqualified.

  1. At any stage of the competition, the UKLSA, including the competition organiser(s)/officer(s), have the discretion to disqualify any mooter or team(s) that fail(s) to comply with these rules, with the spirit of the competition, or who interferes with the running of the competition in any way.

8. There are no appeals.

  1. The decisions (scores) are final and cannot be challenged, by complaint or otherwise. Administrative and other decision made by the UKLSA, including its competition organising team, are also final.