Inaugural TVS Gordon Moot

On Monday 24 May, Lincoln College held its Inaugural TVS Gordon Moot. The College is most grateful to James Gordon, who established the moot in memory of his father, Thomas Vernon Strachan Gordon (1934-2014), who matriculated to read Law at Lincoln College in 1954. The moot took place on what would have been TVS Gordon’s 87th birthday and the College hopes that this event was a fitting tribute to him.

A moot simulates a court hearing (usually an appeal against a final decision), in which participants analyse a contentious issue (this year, in criminal law), research the relevant law, draft written submissions, and present oral arguments.

Jem Mayler (Senior Counsel) and Geoffrey Cheng (Junior Counsel) appeared for the appellant, and Ben Coady (Senior Counsel) and Ted Bennett-Cronk (Junior Counsel) appeared for the respondent. The moot was adjudicated by Dr Jonathan Turner, Fellow in Law at The Queen’s College and Graham Child, Slaughter and May Visiting Fellow in Law at Lincoln College.

Lincoln College warmly congratulates this year’s winners, Ben Coady and Ted Bennett-Cronk, who received the TVS Gordon Mooting Trophy and prize awards of £100 each. The runners up, Jem Mayler and Geoffrey Cheng, were highly commended and received prize awards of £75 each. Both teams set the bar high for future TVS Gordon moots. The judges were deeply impressed by the professionalism of their written submissions and the quality of their advocacy.

The moot was organised by Dr Gabrielle Watson, Shaw Foundation Fellow in Law, assisted by Lincoln Law Society Presidents, Obaydh Khan and Charlotte Case.

The event was a great success. Mooting is a valuable complement to students’ formal legal education and the Lincoln Law community is delighted that the TVS Gordon Moot will become an established event in its academic calendar.