Final rounds of the 2025 PIL Moot Court Competition
- Lee-Anne Gaertner
On 25 and 26 April, CALS hosted the final rounds of the fifth Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition with our partners
CALS has been extremely proud to work with the Student Litigation Society and the South African Journal on Human Rights on the fifth annual Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition, which saw over 600 students enter. After rounds of written submissions on the hypothetical case on obstetric violence, the top sixteen teams participated in rounds of virtual oral argument. We send our grateful thanks to all those who assisted in these rounds.
The top four teams advanced to the semi-finals, including teams from the University of Fort Hare, Wits University, the University of Johannesburg and UNISA. The semi-finals took place on 25 April in the court chamber of the Constitutional Court, presided over by our guest judges:
- Tshepo Madlingozi
- Asenati Tukela
- Alet Beyl
- Lauren Salt
- Sasha Stevenson
- Tirelo Malapane
- Matsie Romano
After all the scores were tallied, the top two teams were announced: Muphulusi Rakhulu and Thuto Manyane from the University of Johannesburg, and Babalwa Mofokeng and Christian Buthelezi from the University of Fort Hare.
For the grand finale the following day, we were pleased to welcome a new set of guest judges:
-
Jatheen Bhima from CALS
-
Natasha Naidoo
-
Lerato Zikalala
-
Stanley Malematja
- Basetsana Koitsioe
- Nelsie Siboza
- Thamaris Mphago
- Reinard Michau SC and
- Thabang Phoshodi – a former PIL Moot winner!
After the fierce competition was over, it was time to announce the winners of the second annual PIL Moot Court Competition. Awards were handed out as follows:
- In first place was Babalwa Mofokeng and Christian Buthelezi from the University of Fort Hare
- In second place overall was Muphulusi Rakhulu and Thuto Manyane from the University of Johannesburg
- Best oralist went to Muphulusi Rakhulu from the University of Johannesburg
- Second best oralist went to Ariana Lenghel from Wits University
- Best written submissions went another team from the University of Fort Hare
We are extremely proud of everyone who participated in this PIL Moot and send our deepest gratitude to everyone who made it possible, from organisers like Thuli Zulu at CALS and the team from the Student Litigation Society; to our hosts at Constitution Hill; and the many markers, clerks and judges from our partner organisations. We could not have done this without you.
Finally, we would have had no competition at all without the participation of the many students who put themselves forward from the very first round. Thank you and please do come back again next year!