The 1st Annual Chaloka Beyani International Refugee Law Moot Court Competition is a platform designed to immerse law students in the evolving landscape of international and regional refugee law. Named in honour of Professor Chaloka Beyani, a prominent advocate for displaced persons’ rights, the moot focuses on pressing legal issues affecting refugees, particularly the right to work. Through simulated legal proceedings before a hypothetical tribunal, participants will explore critical themes such as non-refoulement, asylum procedures, and the socio-economic integration of refugees. This competition not only sharpens students’ advocacy skills but also fosters informed discourse and innovative legal thinking to strengthen refugee protection mechanisms globally, especially in the African context, where millions remain displaced.
Moot Documents
About the Moot
The Chaloka Beyani International Refugee Law Moot addresses the limited practical exposure to refugee law in African legal education. While some institutions teach it theoretically, few offer hands-on experience—especially on socio-economic rights like the right to work. This competition bridges that gap by training students in legal research, writing, and oral advocacy within refugee law contexts.
Named in honour of Chaloka Beyani, a renowned international law expert and former UN Special Rapporteur, the moot celebrates his legacy in human rights, treaty-making, and constitutional reform across Africa.
Competition Format
The competition has two components:
Research & Paper Presentation: Teams submit papers on contemporary refugee law issues, present them before expert judges, and top papers may be published.
Oral Advocacy Rounds: Participants argue a fictional refugee case in a simulated international or regional court, representing different legal positions.
The moot promotes collaboration between students, legal experts, and policymakers, aiming to nurture future leaders in refugee rights advocacy.
Objectives
The key objectives of the Chaloka Beyani International Refugee Law Moot Court Competition are to:
-
Encourage advocacy and scholarship in Public International Law, focusing on International Refugee Law in Africa. -
Expose African students to international refugee law procedures and practices in tribunals and legal institutions. -
Promote research on refugee law, especially the right to work and economic inclusion within the African context. -
Develop participants’ legal research, writing, analytical, and advocacy skills through academic paper presentations and oral rounds. -
Build partnerships between Strathmore University, other academic institutions, legal practitioners, and policymakers for sustained engagement. -
Offer opportunities for outstanding academic papers to be published, contributing to the legal discourse on refugee protection. -
Disseminate knowledge of refugee protection principles under international and regional legal frameworks.
Moot Structure
Submission of Academic Papers: Participating teams will be required to submit academic papers on a selected theme related to international refugee law.
Expert Evaluation: These papers will be assessed by a panel of experts based on originality, framework, methodology, legal analysis, and strength of argumentation. A detailed grading rubric will be used to ensure fairness.
Oral Defense: Teams will then defend their papers in a competitive setting before a panel of judges. The judges will challenge the core thesis, rationale behind the chosen methodology and framework, and other relevant aspects.
Publication Opportunity: The best papers will be selected for publication in a legal journal or academic repository, with the specific platform to be determined.
Submission of Written Memoranda: Each team will submit written memoranda outlining their legal arguments in response to a hypothetical refugee law case.
Expert Evaluation of Memorials: Memorials will be graded and scored by an expert panel to assess legal reasoning, structural coherence, and clarity of argumentation.
Interactive Caucus Before Oral Rounds: Before the oral rounds, an interactive caucus will be held, offering all teams the opportunity to exchange ideas, workshop their legal arguments, and engage in dialogue with experts in the field.
Platform for Networking and Collaboration: This session will provide a valuable platform for networking and collaborative learning among participants and legal practitioners.
Oral Advocacy Rounds: The final stage will feature oral advocacy rounds argued before a distinguished panel of refugee law judges and practitioners.
Advanced and Final Rounds: Top-scoring teams will advance to the knockout rounds, culminating in a high-level final where the best teams will compete for top honors.
Phases of the SICLMC
- The competition’s inaugural edition will be open to law schools across East Africa, and teams will travel to Nairobi to participate.
- The competition will include an academic paper defence, memorial submissions, an
interactive caucus, and high-level moot proceedings judged by experts in refugee law.
- Building on the success of the first phase, the competition will expand to include participants from both East and Southern Africa.
- More universities from across the continent will be encouraged to participate, building the
regional discourse on refugee rights and legal advocacy.
- In its third iteration, the competition will be expanded to welcome teams from across the entire African continent.
- This phase will establish the moot as Africa’s premier refugee law moot court competition,
solidifying its reputation as a key platform for advancing refugee law scholarship and
practice.
Projected Impact
- The moot will expose students to complex legal issues surrounding refugee law, allowing them
to develop practical advocacy skills and a deeper understanding of international refugee
protection frameworks. - Participants will gain firsthand experience in litigation strategies, procedural rules, and legal
argumentation related to refugee law.
- Outstanding participants could be considered for full or partial scholarships for Master of
Laws (LL.M) programs in areas related to refugee and human rights law through partnering
universities. - The competition will seek partnerships with institutions and organisations offering internships
and summer school placements.
Participants will develop legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills that are valuable in a
range of legal careers and will make them more competitive in the job market.
- The moot will give students a unique opportunity to engage with legal practitioners, academics,
and policymakers specialising in refugee law. - Participants will interact with judges and experts from international and regional institutions
dedicated to refugee rights.
- Writing and defending papers will allow students to create strong legal writing samples for
potential employers. - The best papers will be published in an academic journal or legal repository, contributing to
scholarly discourse on refugee law and policy.
Partners
Have Questions or Need Assistance?
Send us a message using the form, or email us directly at fmdrh@strathmore.edu.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Contact Us