What is POSC 196B?

This course is UCR's Moot Court team competing against other colleges and universities across the state and the country. The competition is sponsored by the American Moot Court Association ("AMCA"). 

This year, our students competed in tournaments at USC, Fresno State, and San Francisco State University. By taking taking POSC 196A, you could qualify to be a part of our 2025 team. 

This course is restricted to 16 students and will be taught during the Fall 2025 quarter.

Why are you telling me this?

In a word, prerequisites! 

To qualify for POSC 196B, you must take POSC 196A during the Spring 2025 quarter. 

To qualify for POSC 196A, you must take 

• Constitutional Law: The Fundamentals of Freedom OR 
• Constitutional Law: Criminal Justice OR 
• Other qualifying courses (with instructor permission) 

So now is the time to fulfill one of those classes and give yourself the option of taking Moot Court.

Meet your instructor

Peter J. Mort (Mr. Mort) is a graduate of UCR and the University of Connecticut School of law. He was a trial attorney for 45 years with experience ranging from small town New England to serving on the management committee of a large international law firm. He has been teaching Moot Court for the past 7 years and Constitutional law for the past 3 years. 

For more information, he can be reached at pmort@ucr.edu.

Testimonials

"My time in Moot Court has been a rewarding experience of hard work and personal growth. Under the guidance of Professor Mort, one of UCR’s most dedicated mentors, I gained invaluable insights into both the law and courtroom procedures. The skills I developed in legal argumentation, public speaking, and critical thinking have prepared me both for law school and my future career. I am confident that the lessons learned in this course will continue to shape my legal journey for years to come."

"Participating in Moot Court was an incredibly rewarding experience that honed my critical thinking, public speaking, and legal research skills. It pushed me to analyze complex legal issues, think on my feet, and present arguments with clarity and confidence, all while fostering collaboration with my teammates. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the legal field but also gave me invaluable tools to excel in both academic and professional settings. "

"Moot court is more than just learning about the law or courtroom procedures--it's a transformative experience. It builds your confidence, sharpens your public speaking skills, and allows you to advocate on real-world issues in a professional setting. It's an opportunity I'd relive a hundred times over!"