Program Types & Tips Using Drama in Your Program The idea of using drama as a teaching tool in legal education is hundreds of years old—and as fresh and new as next year’s Law Day. Performing moots in the Inns of Court in London dates back to the 12th century. Moots consisted of the extemporaneous presentation of an argument by senior barristers, from hypothetical or adjudicated cases. At the dinner table, the youngest apprentice would read the facts of the case, older students would cull the legal problem and the barristers would argue the case. In later times, professional acting troupes at the Inns performed plays. Young William Shakespeare was probably a resident of the Inns of Court and some of his early plays were written and first presented there. It is no accident that dramas have used legal conflict as a theme for centuries, nor is it surprising that fictional lawyers like Perry Mason or television programs like “The Practice” catch the public fancy. Use the ideas in this section if you'd like to try adding some drama to Law Day! (NOTE: Excerpts from plays, literature and movies can usually be used without charge for educational purposes. But check first to see if you need an author’s permission to use a work or a portion of it, so you’re not infringing on the author’s copyright.) >>Using Drama in Your Program Main Page >>Ideas for Drama & Law Day >>Dramatic Literature You Can Use Reaching the Community Home | Program Types & Tips Home