Triathlons, Trusts, and Trial Advocacy: Representing Warwick at the National Law Student Triathlon
By Simran Bhutada
May 2025
Picture this: you’re watching a mock trial unfold in a perfectly staged courtroom, complete with passionate advocates, expert witnesses, and a judge who doesn’t miss a thing. The twist? You’re not competing- you’re observing. Learning. Absorbing. Because at the National Law Student Triathlon, even the courtroom comes with a creative twist.
This mock trial wasn’t just entertainment; it was theatre with a legal pulse. The actors weren’t law students like us, but professionals delivering a razor-sharp performance crafted to teach us something new about advocacy, the rhythm of questioning, the subtle art of persuasion, and the magic of presence. I found myself leaning forward, and thinking, Wow, I want to do that.
The trial went on until 10pm, but not a single moment dragged, a testament to how immersive and dynamic the experience truly was.
But let me rewind, because before the gavel echoed through the moot courtroom, there was a journey.
It all began with an application. My partner and I were selected to represent Warwick at the Triathlon- an incredible opportunity, albeit one laced with nerves. Especially when we discovered the case we’d be arguing was based on Trusts law, a module we wouldn’t even study until our third year. Talk about being thrown into the deep end.
What followed was a crash course in Trusts that felt part legal training, part detective work. We were analysing precedent, dissecting obscure points of equity, and Googling Latin phrases more often than I’d like to admit. But we kept at it, because we were determined to show up and give it everything we had. The first round was mooting. Armed with our hastily built knowledge and a stack of colour-coded notes, we faced the judges and presented our arguments. The questions came hard and fast, and though there were moments of uncertainty, we found a rhythm - backing each other up, adjusting on the fly, and trying to keep our advocacy clear and convincing.
Then came the negotiation round, where everything flipped. Instead of adversaries, we were collaborators - working with another team to represent fictional clients and reach an agreement. Here, legal knowledge mattered, but so did empathy, creativity, and understanding when to hold your ground and when to compromise. It was tough, but the kind of tough that leaves you better than before.
One of the highlights of the Triathlon was the advocacy workshops led by seasoned professionals. These sessions were masterclasses in voice, posture, structure, and strategy. The kind of tips you’d never find in a textbook - how to use silence to your advantage, how to recover when your mind goes blank, and how to make a closing speech stick in someone’s head long after they’ve left the room. I left each workshop feeling sharper and more grounded in my voice as an advocate.
The University of Kent campus, where the Triathlon was hosted, offered the perfect backdrop. Its modern facilities, welcoming atmosphere, and panoramic views made it an ideal setting to compete, connect, and reflect. From hurried case prep in quiet corners to shared laughs with fellow students and lawyers over dinner, it was a place that encouraged learning beyond the classroom.
Looking back, the National Law Student Triathlon wasn’t just about Trusts or trophies. It was about stretching yourself, stepping into unfamiliar shoes, and realising how much you can grow in a weekend. Representing Warwick wasn’t just an honour, it was a reminder of why I chose law in the first place: for the challenge, the complexity, and the chance to keep getting better.