Background Information on National Moot Competition on IHL

THE UGANDA NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 2009.


Friday, 16th October 2009.




Background Information





Contacts;
Brian Bwesigye Communications Department
Uganda Law Students’ Society International Committee for the Red Cross
Mobile; +256782036263 Tel; 0414341605
Email; bbwesigye@gmail.com Email; com.kam@icrc.org

Background
Within the frame work of its mandate to support the efforts of states in disseminating International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Uganda Law Students’ Society (ULSSO) with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Uganda has organized the Uganda National Moot Court competitions on IHL , which will take place on 16th, October, 2009. The competition is open to undergraduate students and is intended to expose students to IHL and humanitarian action through simulation and advocacy.

Objectives
a) To develop an increased awareness and interest in International Humanitarian Law in academic institutions throughout Uganda.

b) To use International Humanitarian Law to further academic excellence in the student community.

c) To develop students’ advocacy skills in an environment of friendly competition.

d) To provide students with access to knowledge, information and materials on International Humanitarian Law so they can disseminate the same.

e) To initiate more student involvement in International Humanitarian Law promotion activities and initiatives.

Organization
This competition is organized on the model of De Martens and Jean Pictete International Moot Court Competition, on which the Annual International Moot Court Competition on IHL in Arusha Tanzania is based on. The participants will be placed in an imaginary humanitarian crisis and will be required to play different roles in the mock-up. A document with background information about the context of the problem will be provided to the participants in time to prepare adequately for the competition. The facts will be based on contemporary conflicts, without referring directly to any real situation. The competition will involve only two rounds, namely, the Group Round and the Final Round.

The Group Round
On the day of the competition, the teams will be divided into two clusters and each team per cluster given a role to play for purposes of the Group Round. To choose a cluster, teams will be picked randomly by a draw of lots. Teams compete simultaneously by playing roles according to the instructions given to each in the two clusters. Judges will award marks according to the performance of each team in the role assigned to it. From each cluster, the best team qualifies for the Final Round.

The Final Round
For purposes of the Final Round, the two best teams from the Group Round clusters teams will cast lots to pick sides for the final appearance. The best team will be decided according to their understanding and application of International Humanitarian Law to the problem in regard to the sides they will be arguing for in the final.
Each finalist receives a medal; the winning team takes the Competition trophy and will represent Uganda at the International Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law in Arusha Tanzania.

Participants
Each university is expected to send not more than two teams to the competition, but in the event that some universities do not send any team, the organizers will invite teams from the other universities. The ICRC will sponsor the best team from the Moot Court Competition to represent Uganda at the Arusha International Moot Court Competition on IHL organized by the Nairobi delegation. A team will constitute three students representing an institution. Participants are expected to be familiar with IHL.

Role of the Universities
The participating universities should advertise the competition to the relevant categories of students. The universities should facilitate their teams to pay the registration fee and also their preparation for the Moot Court competition.

Important Dates to Note.

Date Activity
4th, September, 2009 Deadline for Registration of Teams and Payment of Registration fees.
14th, September, 2009 Sending of Background Facts to the Problem to the teams.
16th, October, 2009 Competition Day.

Tentative Programme of the Day.
Time Item/Activity
08:00am Arrival and Registration of Participants.
08:30am Briefing and an introductory note on the Role of the ICRC and Moot Court Competitions.
09:20am Issuing of Instructions for the Group Round
09:30am BREAK TEA
10:00am Group Round
12:30pm Announcement of Finalists
12:40pm Issuing of Instructions for the Final Round
01:00pm LUNCH BREAK
02:00pm Final Round
04:30pm Announcement of Winners and Prize Awarding





















The Uganda National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law 2009.

Registration Form.
TEAM REGISTRATION.
Name of Team:
Name of University
Name of the Team Coach:
Contact Telephone Number:
Contact Email Address:

STUDENT REGISTRATION.
Participant 1.

First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Year of Study:
Telephone Number:
Email:

Participant 2.
First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Year of Study:
Telephone Number:
Email:

Participant 3.
First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Year of Study:
Telephone Number:
Email: