Following fierce competition from teams all over Africa, 4th year students from the Strathmore Law School; Purity Maritim, Emily Wakesho Ngolo and Lisa Agutu brought home the Best Respondent Memorial and Best Overall Memorial, over and above being placed at 2nd position in the African Regional Round of the European Law Students’ (ELSA) Moot Court Competition on World Trade Organization (WTO) Law that was held in Grahamstown, South Africa.

The Moot Court Competition is a simulated hearing of the WTO dispute settlement system, where each team is required to prepare and analyse a fictive case and present their arguments before a panel which consists of World Trade Organization and International Trade Law experts.

The Competition consisted of two rounds; the regional round and the international round to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in June. The regional round competition attracted 15 teams from universities all over Africa, including Lesotho, Uganda, South Africa and Ethiopia.

The team mentioned that it took a lot of sleepless nights, commitment and hard work to be ready and prepared for the 2 day competition;

Wakesho: At the end of the day all the effort we put into preparing for the competition paid off because we have the results to show.
Lisa: Prayer, hard work, dedication and a great coach definitely contributed to our success. The results were worth it.
Purity: During our preparations, our coach told us that it was necessary to prepare three memorial drafts. With only 2 months to the competition, we had to sacrifice our Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s in order to work on the Memorial. The commitment and perseverance we put into it was rewarded accordingly.

This particular moot competition was introduced to the 4th year students at the Strathmore Law School, during the beginning of their International Economic Law class, an elective offered in the University at the final semester of their 4th year. For the team, this competition provided the perfect opportunity for them to explore their interests in International Economic Law;

Wakesho: I decided to participate in this competition so as to explore my interests in WTO law.
Lisa: My interest in this moot competition was sparked in 2016 when I interned for the 14th UNCTAD Conference held here in Nairobi, therefore the decision to participate in the moot was fairly easy.
Purity: I have always had a growing interest in International Economic Law. And this moot competition was an opportunity for me to further explore on this interest. Indeed, it has helped me in growing my knowledge in WTO law.

Their exemplary performance at the regional round has earned the team a place in the international round in Geneva. The team has high expectations for the 2nd round of the competition;

Wakesho: I pray we do exceptionally well, which is emerging first, and therefore contribute to achieving my lifelong dream of being a trade lawyer and help increase Africa’s participation in the WTO.
Lisa: I expect victory and further opportunities in the field of International Trade Law.
Purity: During the regional round, one of our coaches was in the winning team. My hope is that the tables will turn in Geneva, where the student shall become the master.

The team is not only set to further their knowledge on WTO Law but also stand the chance of gaining LL.M scholarships in Trade Law as well as entrance into some of the most important organizations on Trade Law such as the WTO.

Congratulations to the team and all the best in the international round!