From 13-15 February 2026 three North-West University (NWU) law students will argue some of the world’s toughest criminal law questions in a premier mooting event in New Delhi in India.
Potchefstroom Campus students Lindiwe Ngophe, Ethan van Wyk and Connor Anderson will represent the NWU at the University of Delhi’s 22nd KK Luthra Memorial Moot Court Competition, a globally respected forum that attracts top universities.
The competition is regarded as a training ground for future legal leaders, challenging students to navigate complex criminal cases through written submissions and live courtroom advocacy.
How the team was selected
Their selection followed a rigorous, multi-phased process overseen by the faculty’s Moot Court Committee and open to LLB students across NWU campuses. Candidates were required to submit detailed written memorials assessing complex legal issues, followed by advanced oral rounds that simulated international courtroom proceedings.
Adv. Justice Khoza, a lecturer in the subject group Private Law and a member of the selection panel, said the process was designed to test intellectual depth and professional readiness.
“Our objective was to select students who could research thoroughly, write with precision and think strategically under pressure, the same demands they will face at the international level,” said Adv. Khoza.
He noted that the overall standard of submissions reflected growing advocacy strength within the faculty.
“The memorials demonstrated strong legal reasoning and careful engagement with criminal law principles. Ethan’s written work stood out for its analytical strength, but all three students proved they could perform at a global standard.”
Meeting the teamwork test
After the individual assessment phase, the students formed a team to draft joint memorials and appeared in structured oral rounds where each argued from both prosecution and defence perspectives before a panel of judges.
According to Adv. Khoza, the oral rounds were designed to sharpen courtroom discipline and adaptability.
“International moots require far more than legal knowledge. They test teamwork, responsiveness and professional advocacy, and these students met that challenge,” he said.
The Faculty of Law has introduced focused training sessions, including memorial-drafting workshops, courtroom simulation exercises and advocacy coaching to prepare the team for the New Delhi competition.
The achievement strengthens the NWU’s growing presence on international legal advocacy platforms and reflects its investment in producing globally competitive graduates.
Lindiwe Ngophe
Ethan van Wyk
Connor Anderson
