Taking part in the Collas Crill Moot gave Leah Warren and Victoria Carvalho the opportunity to develop their skills and helped open the door to an invaluable insight into life in the legal profession.
Following their success in the Moot, both students went on to gain work experience with Collas Crill, where they had the opportunity to work alongside legal professionals, explore different areas of practice and see first-hand how the skills developed through mooting translate into the workplace.
Now, with their sights set on studying law at university and pursuing future careers in the profession, Leah and Victoria reflect on what they learned from the experience.
Building skills beyond the classroom
Leah is currently studying A-Level English Literature, Mathematics and Biology and plans to study law at a UK university before pursuing a career in litigation.
Victoria, who is studying A-Level Maths, Drama and Psychology, is also working towards studying law in the UK, with ambitions to build a career in litigation.
For both students, the Collas Crill Moot provided an opportunity to develop skills that proved valuable during their work experience.
Leah said the experience strengthened her analytical abilities and taught her how to examine cases, construct arguments and consider the practical implications of legal advice.
'Most of my work throughout my internship had a large research component, requiring me to look at Cayman legislation and then use it to provide advice to a client,' she said. 'Just as in the Moot, I made sure I was not losing sight of what is practical in everyday life when giving advice.'
Victoria said the Moot helped her develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and advocacy skills.
'The experience taught me how to analyse information carefully, construct persuasive arguments and think on my feet,' she said. 'These skills were particularly valuable during my work experience at Collas Crill, where I was able to approach tasks more confidently and critically.'
A hands-on introduction to legal practice
One of the highlights of the work experience for both Leah and Victoria was the opportunity to gain exposure to the realities of legal practice.
Leah particularly valued being able to undertake hands-on work across a range of practice areas.
'Knowing that my work reflected the work of real attorneys helped me to better picture what a career in law would look like and reassured me of my decision to pursue a career in law,' she said.
A particularly memorable assignment involved preparing a memorandum for a client on the process of issuing a statutory demand and potentially pursuing a winding-up petition as a means of debt recovery.
The task required Leah to consider the relevant legislation, apply it to the facts and assess whether this was the most appropriate course of action.
'I enjoyed this task because it gave me an opportunity to critically engage with the situation I was dealing with by bridging legislation to the facts of the case with my own logic and ethics,' she said.
Victoria's experience included the opportunity to attend court on two occasions.
'It was incredibly interesting to see the legal process in a real-life setting and to witness how the skills I developed through Moot, such as advocacy and presenting arguments, are applied in practice,' she said.
She also developed a particular interest in real estate law, an area she had known little about before her internship.
'Being able to gain an insight into an area of law that I had not previously considered sparked my interest and showed me how broad and diverse the legal profession can be,' she said.
Discovering new possibilities
While both Leah and Victoria entered their work experience with a strong interest in litigation, their time at Collas Crill broadened their understanding of the different career paths available within the legal profession.
Leah said that, alongside her continued interest in litigation, gaining exposure to the firm's real estate and trusts teams had introduced her to other areas she may consider in the future.
'My understanding of the different paths available within law broadened and made me seriously consider these practice areas in my future legal career,' she said.
For Victoria, the experience reinforced her existing ambition to pursue a career in law.
'Having the opportunity to experience the day-to-day work of legal professionals, attend court and contribute to different tasks gave me a much clearer understanding of what a career in law involves,' she said. 'Most importantly, I genuinely enjoyed the work and learning from those around me, which has made me even more excited about pursuing law at university and as a future career.'
Advice for future Moot participants
Looking back on their experiences, both Leah and Victoria encourage other students to make the most of opportunities such as the Collas Crill Moot.
Leah's biggest takeaway from her time with the firm was that being a good lawyer involves much more than simply knowing the law.
'It requires the ability to apply it thoughtfully, practically and ethically,' she said.
She also highlighted the importance of looking beyond the legal elements of an argument and considering how to make a case that is logical, fair and persuasive.
'Sometimes the strongest argument is not the most aggressive one,' she said. 'Acknowledging where your learned friends have made valid points can strengthen your credibility.'
Victoria's advice is simpler: take the opportunity and put yourself forward.
'My biggest takeaway from my time at Collas Crill has been the importance of asking questions and putting yourself out there,' she said. 'I have learnt that opportunities often come from simply having the confidence to ask.'
For students considering entering the Moot, she added: 'Go for it and make the most of the opportunity. Opportunities like this do not come around every day, and the experience can teach you so much, both personally and professionally. You never know where stepping outside of your comfort zone might lead you.'
For Leah and Victoria, the journey from Moot competitors to gaining practical experience in a leading offshore law firm has provided valuable insight into the legal profession and helped confirm that their futures lie within it.
