“Practice might not lead to perfection, but it definitely drives improvement!” These words by Darryl Omondi, a second-year student at Strathmore Law School, reflect his journey through the Alfred Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2024. The competition, which attracts top law schools from around the globe, saw Strathmore Law School (SLS) emerging as a formidable contender, cementing its position on the international legal stage.

The recently concluded Moot brought together 43 law schools, all eager to showcase their intellectual prowess. Against fierce competition, the SLS team, consisting of Darryl Omondi, Javier Mario, and Naima Abdulbahar, delivered a stellar performance. They not only earned the title of Best Team in the Preliminary Rounds but also received an Honourable Mention for Best Claimant Memorandum. Darryl’s remarkable showing as an oralist saw him ranked 2nd out of 100 participants, an impressive achievement for both himself and his institution.

Reflecting on the experience, Darryl shared valuable lessons learned during the competition. A simple yet crucial takeaway was the importance of replying to emails in a timely manner—a lesson drawn from one of the hypothetical scenarios that nearly cost them significant points. However, it was the team’s chemistry that truly set them apart. “As a team, we really hit it off from the beginning and understood how each of us worked best,” Darryl noted, attributing their success to their mutual support, relentless preparation, and clear communication.

The team’s success was not achieved in isolation. Head Coach Stephen Fleischer, alongside assistant coaches Aasim Aslam and Sheena Kuchio, played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s approach. Their consistent feedback on both written and oral submissions was instrumental in refining the arguments presented during the competition.

“We couldn’t have done it without them,” Darryl expressed with deep gratitude. The mentorship the team received didn’t stop there. In the final weeks leading up to the competition, the team visited top law firms, including TripleOKLaw and Anjarwalla & Khanna Advocates, to receive feedback on their arguments. Senior practitioners such as Irene Muhoro, Kivindyo Munyao, and Kelvin Njuguna at TripleOKLaw, as well as Darryl’s brother David Omondi, Sanjana Ragu, Fenan Estifanos and John Kiragu from Anjarwalla & Khanna, dedicated time to help the team refine their legal strategies. These contributions were critical in sharpening the team’s arguments for the later rounds.

The competition presented numerous intellectual challenges. The SLS team was required to argue for both the Claimant and Respondent, navigating complex issues such as jurisdiction, evidentiary admissibility, and contract modifications. Every Saturday from June through August was dedicated to moot preparations, a testament to the team’s dedication.

“Consistency doesn’t guarantee success, but without it, success is impossible,” Darryl remarked. Balancing the demands of law school with his passion for rugby refereeing was no small feat for Darryl, who is a member of the Nairobi Rugby Referees Society. Despite falling sick a week before the competition, Darryl pushed through, supported by his teammates, who were determined to ensure his recovery. “We joked about the possibility of me getting sick, but my teammates were serious about doing whatever it took to help me recover in time for the competition,” he recalled.

Strathmore Law School’s participation in the Deakin Moot was sponsored by Africa in the Moot, a program that aims to enhance African representation in global moot competitions. The SLS team’s exceptional performance ranked them 1st in the Preliminary Rounds, solidifying Strathmore’s standing as one of Africa’s leading law schools. Darryl, who emerged as the Best Oralist in Africa, was also the second-best internationally—a significant accolade for both him and the continent.

Darryl credits the team’s success to their collective effort, early morning meetings, and unwavering faith. “Remaining prayerful really helped me through the competition, especially when I fell sick just days before it started,” he shared. His personal achievement as the Second-Best Oralist was not just a victory for him but for the entire team. “The award I received is not mine alone, but ours as a team,” he said, reflecting on their shared commitment to a common goal.

Darryl also dedicated his first moot court competition to the memory of his close friend, Ryan Kigo, who passed away three years ago. Although they didn’t win the overall competition, Darryl found solace in dedicating his individual award to Ryan as his anniversary approaches.

Strathmore Law School’s participation in the Alfred Deakin Moot marked a significant achievement, with the team reaching the quarterfinals as the only African team. Darryl, Javier, and Naima have set a high bar for future mooters at SLS, demonstrating that hard work, teamwork, and dedication yield outstanding results. In Darryl’s own words, “Practice might not lead to perfection, but it can certainly lead to improvement.” The team’s journey in the Alfred Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot is a testament to this belief.

Article written by Evans Ijakaa