News Item

4-5 DECEMBER 2015, WELLINGTON

New Zealand Red Cross, in conjunction with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is running the fourth International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition for New Zealand law students in December 2015. This is the only competition of its type in New Zealand.

This Law Foundation funded event is scheduled to take place in Wellington over two days on 4 and 5 December 2015.

Day one consists of an afternoon IHL scenario-based activity for participating law schools, modelled on the international Jean-Pictet Competition in IHL. Students will meet others, interact with IHL practitioners from NZ Red Cross, and ‘warm up’ into the subject matter. They will also be invited to attend the annual ‘IHL Colloquium’ organised by Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) during the morning.

The formal competition takes place on day two. Preliminary rounds will be held at VUW, with legal practitioners from NZ Red Cross, NZ Defence Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade volunteering their time as judges. The final round for the two top teams will be held at the Old High Court, and judged by a panel of high calibre experts. This will be open to the public. A reception and award ceremony will be hosted for students, teaching staff and judges in the evening.

The competition promotes better awareness of IHL issues among law faculties and students at universities throughout New Zealand, and allows law students to meet and interact with IHL practitioners.

NZ Law Foundation has awarded up to $5,000 to NZ Red Cross to fund student competitors’ attendance at the competition.