This year's LAWASIA International Moot Competition features an arbitration problem which focuses on Intellectual Property Law. For more information, please check out the LAWASIA International Moot Competition website at:-

http://www.lawasiamoot.org/default.aspx

The problem:-

Maru is a small country with a population of just over half a million people. It currently has a small but relatively democratic form of government. In early 2009, a new government was elected based on its promise to diversify the economy of Maru. In order to attract foreign investment it adopted an “open door” policy allowing foreign investment in all areas of economy.

“Good Health Company” (GHC) is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. In 2006, GLC developed a new drug which was developed to treat a wide range of new types of flu viruses. It is protected by a number of patents covering the chemical composition of the drug, its method of manufacture and its manner of use. The patents were initially obtained in Hori and were subsequently patented in all countries which, like Maru are members of the Patent Cooperation Treaty...

Law of the Seas

illustration courtesy of Neptune Loh Xae Hoyy

 

This year’s LAWASIA International Moot Competition features an arbitration problem which involves the law of the sea. For more information, please check out our main website at:

http://www.lawasiamoot.org/default.aspx

 

The problem:

In 1800, Captain Van Cleef of Astoria, a colonial empire of the West, journeyed on Coeur de l’ Ocean with some of the finest Astorian soldiers to conquer the ancient trading city of Zamzala, which is today a partial territory of the State of Rolga.

A great battle was fought and won by Captain Von Cleef and his men, who looted and torched the Sultan’s palace. And further demolished the city before setting sail once again on the greedily laden Coeur de l’ Ocean.

Whilst en-route to another destination, the Coeur de l’ Ocean failed to prevail the might of the monsoon, and sank along with its cargoes of exotic goods, silks, spices, trunks of royal jewelry and other riches of the Palace of Zamzala.

In 1993, a wreck identified as the Coeur de l’ Ocean was discovered some 20 kilometers off the coast of Rolga. The recovered underwater treasures are estimated at more than USD $1 billion…

Student Volunteers

Student Volunteers are needed to assist in the general administration of the National and International competitions. Each moot court requires several officials namely, bailiffs who serve as court officers, timekeepers to keep the official time, court ushers, judges assistants, team ambassadors, photographers and bloggers.

Student Volunteers have the unique opportunity to observe court advocacy, spirited legal argument and succinct legal points being put forward on complex legal issues. It is also an opportunity to network with other law students from various law schools and from different social and cultural backgrounds. Often this includes the chance to meet sitting judges, senior members of the bar, members of the Attorney General’s Chambers, academics and General Counsels of large corporations. Volunteers will have to bear own cost of travel. However, meals and light refreshments during the course of the moot competition will be provided.

To join as a student volunteer, please register at: http://www.lawasiamoot.org/student_volunteer.aspx

LAWASIA International Writing Competition

The LAWASIA Moot Standing Committee is pleased to announce the first annual LAWASIA International Moot Writing Competition. The entry deemed by the Committee to the best entry in the competition will be awarded a cash prize of USD 500.

The Committee recognises that it might not be possible for one reason or another for all students interested in mooting to attend the annual moot competition. The Writing Competition therefore provides a platform for students to develop yet another set of soft skills required in the practice of the law. Students are required to critically analyse and express their views on the legal issues relating to the current LAWASIA International Moot Competition moot problem. The objective is to inculcate and challenge law students to simplify and communicate complex legal issues in simple plain language to a lay audience.

Entries with the appropriate title of the article must be received by the Committee by Tuesday, 18 August 2009. The top 10 entries will be announced on Tuesday, 25 August, 2009. The top 10 entries will have to submit a 3-minute video of themselves and provide a background to their article. The winning entry will be announced on Friday, 30 October, 2009.

For further details please read the LAWASIA International Moot Writing Competition Rules at:

http://www.lawasiamoot.org/carpe_diem.aspx