moot court

noun

: a mock court in which law students argue hypothetical cases for practice

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Taking part in extensive legal education activities -- both in teaching (civics in the Cleveland Schools) and mock trial and moot court judging on local, statewide and national levels -- Satola has run previously for the Common Pleas bench and last year for the Eighth District Court of Appeals. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 26 Oct. 2021 She’s taught appellate practice at the University of Utah’s law school and coached moot court teams, as well. The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Mar. 2022 She’s also sat on a moot court where this case was used as a model question. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2020 Torres attended Lehman High School, one of the largest public schools in the city, and participated in moot court. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2023 Professor Marcus moderated Fordham’s award-winning moot court program for 42 years. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 6 May 2022 Faigman said one of these efforts will include bringing middle and high schoolers from the Round Valley Indian Tribes to San Francisco to work with the college’s law professors on moot court sessions and practice debating. Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2021 Others did moot court arguments with actual judges brought in to respond. Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2021 Pete Stauber and Jim Hagedorn joined Rep. Tom Emmer and a lengthy list of fellow House Republicans in backing the legally questionable, now-moot court challenge. Stephen Montemayor, Star Tribune, 11 Dec. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moot court.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moot court was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near moot court

Cite this Entry

“Moot court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moot%20court. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Legal Definition

moot court

noun
: a mock court in which law students argue hypothetical cases for practice
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