The 23rd East Asia and Oceania Regional Round of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition was held from February 28 to March 3 at the National University of Management. Photo: NUM International Program of Legal Studies – ILAW
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia, for the second time, hosted the regional round of a moot court competition focused on World Trade Organization (WTO) law. Organizers and participants emphasized the event’s value in developing students’ legal analysis abilities and deepening their understanding of WTO law.
The 23rd East Asia and Oceania Regional Round of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition took place from February 28 to March 3 at the National University of Management.
Aliena Trefny, vice president in charge of competitions and international board of the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA), noted that legal studies often lean heavily on theory. She highlighted the competition’s role in providing practical, hands-on experience in legal analysis, which better prepares students for their professional careers.
“As the competition focuses on WTO law, it provides students with an opportunity to engage with experts in the field of international trade law, which remains a specialized and less common area of expertise,” said Trefny.
“Most importantly, the competition fosters students’ creativity, allowing them to examine every small detail of the case to develop persuasive and innovative arguments, a challenge that goes beyond classroom exams,” she added.
Kong Rosa, a junior student in the international legal studies program at the National University of Management, stated that the competition significantly improved her legal analysis and research skills, despite her team’s elimination in the preliminary round.
Rosa served as a researcher alongside a teammate, while two others handled the oral arguments.
https://cambodianess.com/uploads/news/photo1– Aliena Trefny, vice president in charge of competitions said the competition provided a practical and hands-on experience in legal analysis for students. Photo_ NUM International Program of Legal S_1741141362.png
Aliena Trefny, vice president in charge of competitions said the competition provided a practical and hands-on experience in legal analysis for students. Photo: NUM International Program of Legal Studies – ILAW
“Although we did not make it to the semi-finals or finals, the experience was incredibly rewarding. It strengthened not only my research abilities but also my teamwork, public speaking, and understanding of international trade law,” Rosa said. “As a researcher, one of the biggest hurdles was dealing with complex legal terminology, which is not always easy to understand at first glance. Another hurdle was conducting research to find relevant legal documents to support our arguments.”
The competition drew over 50 students, forming 12 teams from eight countries: China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Cambodia, and the Philippines. A team from the Philippines ultimately won the competition.
The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition, organized by ELSA in collaboration with the WTO, consists of a written phase, five regional rounds, and a final oral round held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Beyond Enhancing Legal Analysis Skills
Trefny believes the competition serves as a valuable steppingstone for students seeking legal careers after graduation.
“Participants of the competition will be recognized when they apply for the jobs in the future at any law firms as the competition provides students with practical knowledge and expertise in WTO law, an area that is not widely taught in class,” Trefny said.
For Rosa, this first experience with a WTO law moot court sparked a strong interest in such competitions. She now intends to focus on oral advocacy (pleading) in future competitions to further develop her critical thinking skills.
Rosa emphasized the equal challenges of researching and pleading.
“Researchers must thoroughly analyze case-related documents and develop solutions, while pleaders must have a deep understanding of each argument, as they cannot depend solely on scripts while pleading,” Rosa said.
https://cambodianess.com/uploads/news/photo2– Kong Rosa (Left) took the role as a researcher alongside one teammate, while two others were responsible for pleading. Photo_ NUM International Program of Legal Studies – ILAW_1741141455.png
Kong Rosa (Left) took the role as a researcher alongside one teammate, while two others were responsible for pleading. Photo: NUM International Program of Legal Studies – ILAW
After graduation, Rosa plans to pursue internships at law firms or continue her studies in the judiciary. She encourages law students to participate in moot court competitions to gain a comprehensive understanding of legal proceedings beyond classroom learning.
University Rector Hor Peng expressed his hope for increased student participation in international moot court competitions. He acknowledged that this year’s case presented a significant challenge for students new to international trade law.
For students planning to apply for next year’s competition, Trefny recommended an open-minded approach, full commitment, and seeking a strong coach, as proper guidance is crucial for both written submissions and oral arguments.
Trefny also advised students to maximize networking opportunities with judges, panelists, and fellow participants.
The 22nd East Asia and Oceania Regional Round was previously hosted at the National University of Management in March 2024.
The other four regional rounds include the West and South Asia Regional Round, the All-American Regional Round, the European Regional Round, and the African Regional Round.
source: https://cambodianess.com/article/cambodia-boosts-wto-law-skills-through-moot-court-competition
