TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competitions

proudly sponsored from 2011 to 2015 by

 

Introduction

The TuksLaw Moot Society at the University of Pretoria is responsible for the University’s Annual Internal Moot Court Competition. Held in both English and Afrikaans, this initiative provides law students the opportunity to develop their research, writing and oral advocacy skills - and also teamwork as they participate in teams of two members each. Not only will students be able to work on their skillset that is sure to warrant future success, but their legal skills and knowledge is also put to the test.

All law students are invited to participate in this annual competition  in the English or Afrikaans Rounds. All participants receive a certificate of participation, and the winning team receives a cash prize.  For more information, scroll down to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.

 

2015 - 8th TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition

On 16 and 17 September 2015 the TuksLaw Moot Society of the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria hosted the Annual TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition, which was again proudly sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright.
 
A total of nine teams participated in the competition, tasked to draft heads of arguments and present oral submissions before a bench of judges. The fact complex, drafted by Emile Zitzke, lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence, focussed on the University's theme of ‘Transformative Constitutionalism’.  The hypothetical case addressed issues surrounding the protection of private property and the dignity of deceased persons in South Africa's Constitutional dispensation.
 
After a number of intense rounds, the award for Best Team went to Tshephisho Mokane Somo and Tinotenda Kakora with runner-ups Thomas White and Richan Schwellnus. Thomas White received the award for Best Oralist and the Best Heads of Argument Award went to Angelica Vieira and Savannah Vosloo. All participants received certificates of participation in recognition of their efforts and passion for the law.
 
On behalf of the TuksLaw Moot Society, coordinators Edgar Mathebula and Thandeka Khoza conveyed their appreciation to the sponsors for their continued support.  They also thanked the panel of judges consisting of Norton Rose Fulbright practitioners, lecturers, academic associates, Constitutional Tribunal members and previous mooters for their time and constructive involvement.  Feedback from the Norton Rose Fulbright judges reflected that "the quality of the competition and the standard of organisation were impressive".
 
It was the general consensus of the participants and spectators that the event was a success.
 
- by Edgar Mathebula

 

2014 - 7th TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition

This year’s Internal Moot Competition, hosted by the TuksLaw Moot Society at the Faculty of Law saw seven English and three Afrikaans teams going up against each other, with an added twist - for the first time this year previous mooters were allowed to enter the competition, provided that they team-up with a partner who has no previous mooting experience. Such a team would be referred to as an “experienced team” for the purposes of the moot. Nevertheless all the teams were judged on an equal footing using a points based system, with the experienced teams competing for prizes in the experienced category and the novel mooters competing in their own category as “amateur teams”.

Naturally, the competition took lots of time and hard work before, during and after the event, and special thanks must go to Gift Kgomosotho (LLB IV) and Rochelle van Staden (LLB III) who drafted the hypothetical facts, Mary-Anne Gettliffe (BCom (Law) III))  who coordinated the tournament and Vuyisile Smith who was the bridge between the society and the Dean. The tournament ran smoothly, thanks to the preparation of every team member, and the extra practise sessions that were facilitated by members of the TuksLaw Moot Society. 

The hypothetical case dealt with a broad range of legal issues, ranging from the application of the National Credit Act to e-toll laws and the constitutionality of the Reserve Bank Act as far as the use of trademarks owned by the Reserve Bank are concerned.

The panel of judges consisted of various members of the TuksLaw Moot Society as well as Tokyo Mbetse and Ellen Miya from Norton Rose Fulbright.

The final saw two English teams, and two Afrikaans teams going up against each other. In the English division, the winning team consisted of Wesley Grimm and JJ van Der Walt with runners-up Sewela Masie and Nonkosa Nkosi. In the Afrikaans division, Thomas Murray and Louis Willemse walked away with the laurels against runners-up Mia Labuschagne and Elzhane Prinsloo. The overall winners of the competition were and prize money went to Mia Labuschagne and Elzhane Prinsloo.

The Moot Society wishes to extend their appreciation to Norton Rose Fulbright for sponsoring the entire event since 2011. We would also like to thank Lynsey Schonfield, a recruitment consultant at Norton Rose Fulbright, who has played a significant role in the coordination of this event.  We would also like to thank the competitors for participating and the judges for doing their part and for ensuring this competition was a success.

- By Mary-Ann Gettliffe

 

2013 - 6th TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition

 

2012 - 5th TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition

The TuksLaw Moot Society hosted its fifth TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition on Friday, 24 August 2012.  All law students were invited to participate in teams of two and received certificates of participation. The winning teams received cash prizes.  



- Photos by Kim Mmitshane, law student

Matthew Pool and Wade Walton walked away with the laurels in the English Division and Magda Birkholtz en Ruan Dickinson followed in their footsteps in the Afrikaans Division.


Final results/Finale resultate:

Winners in the English Division
Wade Walton & Mathew Pool

Best Memorials and Winners in the Afrikaans Division
Magda Birkholtz & Ruan Dickinson

Best Memorials and Runners-up in the English Division
Alexia Katsiginis & Kirsten Bailey

Best Oralist - Afrikaans (83,5%)
Magda Birkholtz

Best Oralist - English (83%)
Kirsten Bailey

Runners-up in the Afrikaans Division
Caly Maritz & Natalie Malvaney


2012 Fact Complex/Feitestel:

English version  / Afrikaanse weergawe.

2011 TuksLaw Internal Moot Court Competition

 


 

FAQs:

  • Who may participate?

All registered undergraduate law students (from any year of study) may participate in the competition. There will be separate English and Afrikaans rounds, and teams are free to choose in which language they would prefer to argue. Thus there are separate English and Afrikaans semi-final and final rounds, and the winning teams from the finals will each win prize money.

  • What does participation entails?

There are two components to every moot court competition on which teams are judged: a written and oral component. Argument must be prepared, and will be presented, for both the Applicant and the Respondent based on the hypothetical case to be argued.

  • What does the written component entails?

Teams must hand in heads of argument, formatted according to Anton Kok et al (2002) Skills Workbook for Law Students [Landsdowne: Juta Law]: pages 144-146. The heads of argument must not be longer than 3 000 words.

  • What does the oral component entails?

Both members of the team must speak. Teams will present argument for the Applicant in one round and the Respondent in another. Argument is presented before a panel of judges who will interject with questions. Each team has 20 minutes per round, and no speaker may speak for less than 5 minutes.

  • How will you know what to do?

The Moot Society will provide assistance to all participants. There will be information sessions and demonstrations to give participants an idea of what to expect. Furthermore, a member of the Moot Society will be assigned to every team so that teams have a direct contact person in case of queries. As soon as you email us indicating your interest in participation, you will be informed of who your assigned member is.

  • What’s in it for you?

Well, firstly, it’s a good experience. There’s no better way to put your legal knowledge into practice and develop your research, writing and oral advocacy skills. Furthermore, all participants will receive a certificate of participation. And lastly, there are also trophies and excellent cash prizes to be won!

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