/ 16 August 2010

Interested in law? Get your foot in the door

Grade 10 and 11 learners are invited to participate in the first annual National Schools Moot Court Competition, which aims to create greater awareness about the Constitution and the values that it embodies.

The aim is also to encourage talented young people to consider pursuing a career in law. This competition provides an opportunity for learners to develop their research, writing and oral advocacy skills as they try to come to grips with some of the constitutional issues that are facing our country.

The competition will be organised by different law faculties each year, with the universities of Pretoria, Venda and Western Cape taking responsibility for the first round in 2010/11.

The collaboration of the organised legal profession will also be sought to assist learners.

All secondary schools in South Africa are invited to enter a team of two learners. The first round will be in a written form. Entrants will be provided with the “facts” of an imaginary case involving a human rights issues. They will be asked to write two essays, defending the opposing sides of the case, using the Constitution.

The final round will be held at the Constitutional Court. Winners will receive financial support towards the first year of their law degree.

The registration forms and essays must be received by the organisers by September 30 this year.

For more information contactCherryl-Lee Botterill [email protected] or go to the website.