NEWS

ICU Students win prize at International Law Moot Court Competition Japan Cup 2016

Update: July 16, 2016

Mr. Genki Nishibe (4th year student) and Ms. Chizuru Yamazaki (3rd year student) came in third in defendant pleading, winning the Fighting Spirit Prize and the Prize for School Introduction at the International Law Moot Court Competition Japan Cup 2016 (sponsor: International Law Student Exchange Council, advisor: Wakamizu Tsutsui, professor emeritus, University of Tokyo, special assistant to the advisor: Yoshinori Abe, professor, Gakushuin University) held on July 9 (Sat) and 10 (Sun).

At the moot court competition, a question related to a fictitious international dispute between two countries based on an actual incident is given to the participants, who, in three months of thorough investigation of the documents, prepare legal arguments from the perspective of both plaintiff and defendant with considerable care, and present oral arguments in front of college professors, diplomats and lawyers who play the role of judges, to compete in the legal technique of replying to questions. The capabilities learned through the moot court are expected to contribute significantly to peaceful resolution of disputes through legal means.

The other universities in the fray were Osaka University, Japan Coast Guard Academy, Gakushuin University, Kyoto University, Sophia University, University of Tokyo, Doshisha University, Tohoku University, Toyo University, Nagoya University, Hosei University, Yokohama City University, Rikkyo University and Waseda University, which are traditionally strong teams comprising of 10 to 30 members, while ICU went daringly with two members in its first appearance and achieved excellent results.

Comment from Mr. Nishibe

I am a law major, and am studying with special focus on international law. I was able to take part with great interest in this international law moot court. In preparing for the moot court, I was able to gain experience similar to actual practice such as researching judicial precedents and legal writing, thus able to brush up abilities that cannot be gained just through text books. Moreover, in pleading the case, I felt the necessity and importance of not only knowledge and contents but also performance capability to convey appropriately and confidently them. Looking at the recent international situation, I believe legal solutions centered on international law will become increasingly important even further. I hope there will be an increasing number of students at ICU showing interest in law as they learn the importance and fun of legal studies. I would also like to once again express my gratitude to Ms. Yamazaki, who participated with me, as well as the professors and seniors who gave guidance.

Ms. Yamazaki's comment

I have been in the ICU Debating Society, where you debate in English, since my first year, and like thinking in a logical manner. Law major may not stand out that much in ICU and I hope this success will help to raise its profile, even if only slightly. I would like to delve into this area with a multi-faceted perspective that can be gained at ICU so as to brighten up law major. I would like to thank all the professors who guided us in this endeavor.