The 2021-2022 National Moot Court Competition contested by High School Students from across the Turks and Caicos Islands ages between 15 and 17, is slated for Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa, Saturday, beginning at 10:30.
Eight institutions from across the country will moot a hypothetical constitutional question, considering the Education Ordinance and the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child.
The appellate bench will comprise of a member of the judiciary, a member of the Public Bar and a member of the Private Bar.
The event was introduced by the Turks and Caicos Islands Bar Association in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Noting that mooting is the art of arguing a hypothetical legal case, the Bar Association said it also provides an ‘indispensable opportunity’ for students interested in law, critical thinking, public speech, and debate, to hone their skills in live rounds of quick-thinking oral advocacy.
“The hypothetical scenarios that our students will argue, following weeks of prepared legal research and mentorship with a Bar Council appointed attorney-mentor, are exciting, real-life situations that are sure to provoke spirited debate,” the Bar Association said.
Participants, according to the Bar Association, has been given ample opportunity to learn and sharpen their mooting skills.
“Each of the participating schools and youth organisations have invited 14–17-year-olds interested in law and debate to an Introduction to Mooting reception where they will first meet their assigned attorney-mentor.
“The students have been introduced to mooting via an instructional (and entertaining) short video tutorial, live demonstrations, and hands-on, question-and-answer sessions with their attorney-mentor. They have also received take-home materials to further review and decide on their participation in the competition,” the Bar Association continued.
All students in the National rounds will receive a 2021/22 National Moot Court Competition gift bag including a t-shirt and certificate. All semi-finalists and finalists will have an opportunity to compete before the highest-ranked members of the judiciary, in the arena of the Supreme Court, before a gallery of supporters, media, and public officials, and broadcast by media throughout the country and beyond.
The Bar Association said the finalists will compete, not just for trophies and prizes, but for internships at law firms and an intimate mentorship lunch with high ranked members of the judiciary, such as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.