St. Augustine Legal Affairs (STALA) Issue 2 | Page 35

that’s something that I fully intend to do.
LISA THEODORE
How does the Law Faculty prepare you for this?
Our Lecturers were instrumental in carrying out the inhouse moot competition when
they chose the competitors for
the varied competitions. Subsequent to that in-house moot,
Mrs. Elias-Roberts took over
the mantle in training us for the
Jessup Moot Competition as our
coach. We were given guidance
as to how preparations would be
carried out, when they will begin
and other necessary plans. In the
early stages of preparation, we
would meet once a week. Later, when the competition became
closer, that includes the written
memorial our contact increased
via email and meetings at school.
Before we left we also had one
final session with both the Dean
and our coach. The Law Faculty as a whole assisted and supported us. I would especially like
to thank all the lecturers who
gave their time whenever we had
a question or were boggled by a
particular issue, and the administration staff who also acted as
a support.

I just wanted to show the judges
that I knew this case thoroughly
and that I was ready to answer
any hard question that they were
about to ask.
How were you able to
deal with and understand the Fact pattern?

At the beginning, the fact pattern appeared intimidating.
Especially so, when we heard
that we would have to learn the
facts of each paragraph. I think
what assisted in allowing us to
deal with the fact pattern is the
approach of Ms. Elias-Roberts which involved a thorough
assessment of the fact pattern
every week and any legal issues
that arose. Surprisingly, the
fact pattern dealt with a diverse
number of laws inclusive of: environmental law, trade law, economics, international law, and
others; so it was not narrowly
focused at all. We therefore had
to begin reading, learning and
understanding the courts’ approach to these issues. Closer to
the competition we also came together as a team and drilled each
other as per the fact pattern, as
an addition to our meetings with
Mrs. Elias-Roberts. I also believe that individual drilling
and preparations also assisted with understanding, since,
How did you feel when when working on my individual
you were in front the weaknesses, it was much easier
for the team to become stronger
judges?
Upon entering the room, I was in developing and understanding
filled with nerves. I kept won- the fact pattern.
dering whether I was ready,
fully prepared and questions of What advice would you
uncertainty pervaded my mind, give other students who
as is the norm for first timers. are interested in MootHowever, when I made my in- ing?
troduction my nerves dissipated.

I would say to just do it. Once
you have hopes of practicing
law, it aids in the practical path
of the law, which is much more
critical than what we learn in
our books. We as law stu