Bachelor Of Commerce In Law Students Put Their Legal Skills To The Test During Emeris Pietermaritzburg Moot Court

The second year Bachelor of Commerce in Law students at Emeris Pietermaritzburg recently stepped into the spotlight when they showcased their legal knowledge and advocacy skills during a Moot Court. The Moot Court presentations, which formed part of the students’ Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Module, provided them with the opportunity to move beyond the textbooks and lecture rooms and allowed them to experience what it means to think, reason and argue like legal professionals. The students were required to prepare legal arguments and to advocate for their respective clients. They presented their arguments to a panel which consisted of Yuvadia Sewram (Law Lecturer at Emeris
Pietermaritzburg) and Johan du Toit (Former Pietermaritzburg Judge and Senior State Advocate at the National Prosecuting Authority). The panel evaluated their performance and provided important feedback on their development as emerging legal professionals.

The presentations were assessed on two key components: verbal communication and subject matter knowledge. The students were evaluated on their tone, delivery, use of language, confidence and the ability to engage their audience. However, the heart of the Moot Court lay in their ability to argue persuasively on behalf of their clients.

Said Yuvadia Sewram (Law Lecturer Emeris Pietermaritzburg): “This year’s Moot Court was intended to expose students to a complex and developing area of South African law while strengthening their ability to research, draft and present legal arguments. This year’s argument was based on a fictional dispute involving cryopreserved embryos’ future use in their divorce settlement. One former spouse later sought to use the embryos for implantation, while the other objected and approached the court for an interdict preventing the implantation from proceeding. Students were required to argue whether the interim interdict should be confirmed and made final. The legal problem required students to
engage with several intersecting areas of South African law. Moot Court is an invaluable component of a law student’s development because it requires them to move beyond merely identifying legal rules. They must interpret legislation, analyse case law and academic authority, apply legal principles to a novel set of facts, formulate persuasive submissions and defend those submissions under questioning from the Bench. It
develops legal research, drafting, oral advocacy, teamwork, professional ethics and the ability to think critically under pressure, all of which are essential for practice in the legal profession.

The Moot Court reflects Emeris’s commitment to an applied and professionally focused model of legal education. It demonstrates that our students are not only taught what the law provides, but are also trained to analyse legal uncertainty, construct principled arguments and apply the law responsibly to complex factual situations. These are essential competencies for effective and ethical participation in the legal profession”.

“My experience of the Moot Court was truly rewarding and memorable. I enjoyed the opportunity to put the legal knowledge I have gained in the lecture room into practice. Being able to argue a case, think critically and present my arguments in a formal setting was both challenging and exciting. One of the biggest things I learnt from the experience was the importance of preparation, confidence, teamwork and being able to think on your feet. Moot Court also taught me that knowing the law is only one part of being a good lawyer, you also need to be able to communicate your arguments clearly, respond to questions effectively and remain composed under pressure. The experience has definitely fuelled my passion for the legal profession” concluded Nolwazi Kunene (second year Bachelor of Commerce in Law student Emeris Pietermaritzburg).