The court experience

Focused on having law students take part in a court experience, the competition - in collaboration with ENSafrica Namibia who sponsored the event as well as cash prizes worth N$40 000 - gave participants trial advocacy training.

This training was related to the preparation of written and oral submissions, in anticipation of the moot court competition. The participants, ranging from second- to fourth-year law students, were afforded an opportunity to put such skills into practice. Submissions were made before judges of the High Court of Namibia.

Participants were placed in nine groups of two, going through different rounds in the competition until they made their way to the finals. Through these rounds, they were adjudicated by advocates, legal practitioners and real-life judges from the Supreme Court of Namibia.



The annual event for the council observed teams to work together and allows students from their first to final year of study to take part. The students get to research and improve their critical thinking skills, argue in front of real legal professionals to build their confidence and get constructive feedback that will help them in their careers. Apart from the learning experience and beneficial exposure, they win cash prices.

One of the first prize winners of the moot court competition Jackson Nakale, who walked away with N$10 000 and a floating trophy, said it was an experience of mixed emotions.

“My first time there, I arrived a little bit late and without a blazer. The judge asked why I was naked before court. I swam in the urge to withdraw but did not. The grilling persisted throughout the entire round, which ended on the note of hopelessness,” he said.

However, the team he was part of qualified to the next round and this time, he made sure to have a blazer on and arrived perfectly on time.

“It was a better experience. Warm and welcoming on the part of the judge, and the grilling was manageable. It ended on a positive and courageous note,” he said.

They moved on to the final round and presented before two High Court judges. Nakale said the experience was fulfilling as one of the judges is his inspiration in terms of writing. “My co-counsel and I took the first prize. It was a love-hate affair; it gets better. Just do it,” he said.





The winners in the finals of the Unam moot court competition received the following cash prizes:



N$10 000 first prize and floating trophy

Jackson Nakale and Doreen Lyomba



N$7 500 second prize

Manuel Kazondana and Kaurua Upora



N$5 000 third prize

Hased Mazhuwarara and Malcolm Shava



Best speaker – floating trophy

Kaurua Upora