On the 16th of December 2021, Ms. Daopakay SOUVANNALATH and Ms. Noutthida MISOUPHAN the winner of the national round and the mooter, and Ms. Soudaphone VIRAVONGSA the researcher were rewarded for their participation in the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot Court competition international round, as a represents of the lao team. The competition was exceptionally organized through a virtual format on 11-12 March 2021 by submission of memorials and virtual oral hearings, in which over a hundred of law students from different Asia-Pacific cities gathered on-line. A total of 26 teams of law students, competed in a series of simulated trials of controversial issues related to armed conflicts and humanitarian challenges. The event is now the largest inter-university competition in scale of its kind in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The certificates were handed-over by Dr. Perrine Simon, the Project’s Liaison Officer of the University of Luxembourg who is managing the Inter-University Cooperation Project and has been intensely coaching the three students. Congratulations once again for the hard work.
With a total of 26 teams of law students from the Asia-Pacific, Laos did not make it to the Top Eight Teams. The Quarter-Finalist Teams were: China University of Political Science and Law; Royal University of Law and Economics; Singapore Management University; The University of Hong Kong; The University of Sydney; University of the Philippines; University of Tokyo; Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka). This year no public ranking was issued for the other teams. However, the Lao team got some very good feedback from the judges’ panel. Both their written memorials and oral pleadings provided for a good style and analysis, as well as good citations and sources, with detailed references. They achieved a general scoring with the rate “good”!
This Moot court organised by the ICRC is a great way to stimulate legal thinking, by learning how to develop legal arguments appropriately. Students also have improved their presentation skills, debating skills and English!