Law students at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently showcased their advocacy skills when they competed in one of the country’s esteemed Moot court competitions, the Centre for Child Law’s 6th Annual Child Law Moot Court Competition.
The Child Law Moot Court Competition saw the UJ team competing against teams from seven universities across the country, before top judges and attorneys, for the esteemed title. The Child Law Moot Court Competition was held in Pretoria at the North Gauteng High Court, over two days, the 18th and 19th September 2015.
UJ’s team, which were crowned the winners, included Mr Kwanele Pakati (Law Mentor), Ms Malerato Motloung (coach); Mr Stanley Malemetja (4th year); Ms Jessica Odendaal (2nd year), and Melissa Jansen van Vuuren (coach).
The aim of the Child Law Moot Court Competition is to develop awareness on children’s rights and to familiarise law students with specific issues pertaining to child law and children’s rights. The competition is open to students in the process of obtaining an LLB, BCom or BA Law degree.
Says Mr Pakati: “This opportunity, to compete in competitions, is part of the Faculty’s undertaking to graduate lawyers with wide-ranging experience in a number of legal settings.”
Fourth-year student, Mr Malemetia pointed out that this achievement would not have been possible if it was not for the exceptional lecturing staff at UJ and all the support they received from the University.
Ms Odendal echoed her collegues sentiments. “I am proud to be associated with an institution that continues to give students opportunities to gain experience in the field,” she said.
UJ has participated for the past three years in the Child Law Moot Court Competition and this is the second year UJ won the competition.
