Makerere University School of law, on Wednesday held it’s 12th Clinic Legal Education (CLE) Moot Competitions presided over by three High Court judges.
This moot which was presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, Andrew Kaukha and Charles Kasibayo was held in the newly constructed Moot Building to give the students the same feeling as the real courts of Judicature.
“It’s the experience of law that takes away students from theory by providing hands on experience. It involves doing research like it’s a real case happening in the courts of law.” remarked Ronald Naluwayiro, the Associate Prof MUK school of law
The professor also pointed out, that Moot sessions play a vital role in cementing and strengthening their relationship with the Judiciary of Uganda
“It’s not about students arguing cases before judges, contributes a lot towards Makerere school of law, through provision of skills to our students.”
Naluwayiro also pointed out that, being the pioneers of legal education in the country, they look beyond teaching students to pass exams, that’s why they introduced a number of programs like; the refugee law program focusing on advocacy, research on refugee related issues, business law clinics , Public interest law clinic which have ensured that many Ugandans get justice.
Christopher Mbazira is a Professor of Law and Coordinator of the Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC) at Makerere University School of law, revealed that Moot sessions are key in enhancing students skills in submitting before court, since they always get an opportunity to do it before real High court judges under the same environment like the court rooms.
“During moot, students getting used to the dressing code of the judges , so that when they meet them in courts they don’t get scared. We look for topics which raise new questions of law, moots are intended to apply comparative laws, they learn from other countries with similar laws.”
He promised that they are looking forward to increase the Moot sessions to atleast three annually , so that many students may be able to benefit from this opportunity.
A moot court competition simulates a court hearing (usually an appeal against a final decision), in which participants analyze a problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions, and present oral argument. Moot problems are typically set in areas of law that are unsettled or that have been subject to recent developments. They usually involve two grounds of appeal, argued by each side.
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