Law students compete in the Landmark Chambers Property Moot competition

Two of our Law undergradutes, James Piercy & Jakub Mikulski, sucessfully took part in the Landmark Chambers Property Moot competition. Here is what James had to say about the experience:

"Between November 2021 and February 2022, Jakub Mikulski and I competed in the Landmark Chambers Property Moot competition, proudly representing the University of Nottingham. Over the course of four rounds, we were tested on our ability to advocate in the sphere of property law and had to fight off tough competition from Cambridge University and Durham University. Incredibly creative problem drafting tested our legal knowledge and research skills by forcing us to grapple with the intriguing area between land, contract and tort law; alongside occasional streaks of equity and unjust enrichment. The fact patterns were never dull and ranged from whether adverse possession could be claimed by a drunk owner who got his dates wrong to the frustration of a naturist holiday camp’s lease because accommodation cannot be provided in yurts.

The creative drafting often forced us to come up with equally creative arguments, a particular highlight was attempting to illustrate the illogical nature of allowing boundary agreements to have proprietary effect…whilst giving measurements in tractor widths. Nonetheless the problems also forced us to comprehend some incredibly technical elements of law, such as the correct interpretation of various statutes and the ability for a mutual understanding between two parties to frustrate a lease when that understanding was not put into the lease. 

The grand final, against the Oxford University, was a truly special evening. Advocating before the Rt Hon Judge Dight, in a wig and gown, under the watchful gaze of 20 top property barristers is an experience I will never forget. Nor will I ever forget the judge’s chuckle when I uttered the words “leaving the day to yurt-based naturist activities”, I knew I had him on side from that moment! My partner and I spent many evenings, and cups of earl grey tea, poring over the question trying to find every last angle that could be attacked. Marking for the final was done individually with prizes for the top two mooters, I would be lying if I said I was confident in winning because Oxford had won both individual prizes in the last 3 years running. When my name was called as one of the winners I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. 

The entire experience, every element of it, has been a huge time of growth in my aptitude for advocacy. Using the feedback from each round and under the patient tutelage of my teammate, I was able to discover my individual style and how to tailor my arguments to suit it. I am incredibly grateful to Landmark Chambers for putting together such a tough competition; and to my team mate Jakub, without him our team would never have made it to the final."

We are very proud of James and Jakub and their brilliant acheivement.