The exciting annual mock trials of the North-West University (NWU), hosted by the Faculty of Law on the campus in Potchefstroom with the support of Juta, started with the qualifying rounds on 19 July, with the finals to follow on 15 August.
The competition not only gives students the opportunity to practise their legal skills but also provides entertaining “courtroom drama”, complete with complainants, accused, a magistrate and capable teams of prosecutors and lawyers.
This is the fourth year that all campuses are participating in this hugely popular competition with its rich, six-year history.
The winning teams will share in prizes to the value of R40 000. The prizes and prestige of winning are a big incentive for all who participate and although entries have already closed on the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, there is still an opportunity for students on the campuses in Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark to enter.
As in previous years, various teams of four students each will take each other on in a ”criminal case”, pleading for the defence and prosecution respectively.“It is the only competition of its kind in the country where second and third-year law students compete against each other,” says Adv René Koraan, lecturer at the Faculty of Law on the campus in Potchefstroom.
The Juta-NWU Mock Trial Competition is the brainchild of René, who saw it as an opportunity for second and third-year students to gain much-needed experience: “The mock trials help prepare students for their careers and inform them how the system works.”Ms JJ Ikaneng, chief magistrate of the North West Province, will preside over the finals and Adv Mark Adams who presided over the semi-finals last year, will do so again.
This is a wonderful opportunity to see the NWU’s second and third-year students in action in “court" and everyone is welcome to attend the exciting court proceedings.
For more information, contact Mr Simon Rasikhalela (Mahikeng) at 018 389 2030 or email simon.rasikhalela@nwu.ac.za, Adv René Koraan (Potchefstroom) at 018 299 4287 or email rene.koraan@nwu.ac.za, or Mr Aubrey Sibanda (Vanderbijlpark) at 016 910 3542, or email aubrey.sibanda@nwu.ac.za.
