Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

A First for Bahamian Law Students

Bahamian Students in the UWI Law Program at COB have a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a world class moot competition to be held in Washington DC in March 2012. With over 500 law schools represented from more than 80 countries around the world. This is an extremely competitive event, in which the competitors debate issues of international law. This is the first time a Bahamian team has participated in this prestigious event. It is the largest moot competition in the world.

History

The Phillip C. Jessup Moot Competition, now in it's 53rd year is named after the late distinguished American jurist and former Judge of the International Court of Justice.  The Jessup Competition was conceived at Harvard Law School in 1960 to provide students with a courtroom simulation experience grounded in international law.  Professor Steven M. Schwebel, who would also later serve as President of the International Court of Justice, authored the first Jessup Competition problem, the “Cuban Agrarian Reform” case. Over 50 years later, the Jessup is now administered by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), a sister organization of the American Society of International Law. Each year, schools representing more than 2,000 students worldwide. This year’s competitors will have the opportunity to explore the legality of the use of force and the distruction of cultural artifacts.

Goals

The Bahamas team consist of Theominique Nottage, Dr. Peter Maynard (coach), Ramonne Gardiner, Bjorn Ferguson, Ashley Sturrup, Tamar Moss and Ms. Rebecca Wallace(coach) .Team coach Dr. Peter Maynard said "This is an invaluable opportunity for the students.  When I completed my studies in international law-incidentally with Judge Schwebel - I wanted to be in the Jessup.  But, I would have been a team of one. Since then, the UWI law program has been established at COB, and our students have the chance to participate. It will give them great exposure and the confidence to do first-class research, writing and advocacy in international law."

The Jessup’s principal goal is to instill in students an understanding of international law and a respect for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law.  As the world’s largest and most expansive moot court competition, the Jessup gives many participants their first exposure to student and attorney counterparts from other countries.  In this way, competitors come to view their neighbors as allies, partners, and friends.  These participants are also bonded by a common work ethic, each knowing that their peers’ success is based on research, training, and personal dedication of the highest caliber.

Legal Training

The Jessup is a professional training experience that teaches practical skills in research, writing, and advocacy.  The Competition simulates a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.  A Compromis stipulating the facts of the case is released each September.  Students spend most of the academic year researching, composing, and practicing arguments based on the legal issues the case presents.  Each team of up to five students writes two briefs, one for each State party to the dispute, and presents oral arguments before panels of volunteer attorneys acting as International Court of Justice judges.  The Jessup experience instills students with a valuable advantage in the global marketplace by exposing them to complex, timely issues of international concern.  Moreover, students develop strong teamwork, legal research, and oral and written advocacy skills by representing both sides of the case in a rigorous, competitive environment.  Many alumni refer to the Jessup as their most challenging and rewarding law school experience. These students go on to lead successful careers in government service and the world’s finest law firms, multinational corporations, universities, and international organizations.

 

National and International Rounds

The Jessup Competition is divided into two levels: National and International Rounds.  At both levels, teams compete in head-to-head matches and advance based on the quality of their oral arguments and written pleadings.  National Competitions are held in countries where two or more schools compete.  As the number of participating schools continues to rise, so do the size and impact of the National tournaments.  Most importantly, the Jessup aims to build lasting student-attorney networks in each country that hosts a National Competition, thereby furthering the study and practice of international law at a local level.

Winning national teams go on to attend the White & Case International Rounds, a week-long cultural and educational event held every spring in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Society of International Law.  Participants have the opportunity to meet and compete against students from all over the world and to argue their case before leading practitioners and scholars of international law.  It has become a tradition for Judges at the International Court of Justice to preside over the White & Case World Championship Round, most notable among them former and current ICJ Presidents such as Judges Schwebel, Owada, and Higgins.  The International Rounds are for many a life-changing experience.  The friendships and professional connections forged at the National and International Rounds endure for years to come.  

It is an expensive venture to fly a team of six to Washington DC and to house it there for a week.  The law students are presently approaching business and individuals and are engaged in the necessary fund-raising.  Please support this worthy cause.  If you would like further information on how to make a donation, please contact peter.maynard@gmail.com heading up your message with the subject "Jessup".

Thank you in advance.

Pictured below: R-L, Theominique Nottage, Dr. Peter Maynard (Coach), Ra'Monne Gardiner - Not Pictured: Ashley Sturrup, Bjorn Ferguson, Tamar Moss and Rebecca Wallace (Coach)