By Thembi Moyo
The Faculty of Law at Emeris University hosted the highly anticipated 2025 National Moot Court Final at its Ruimsig Campus, drawing students, legal professionals, and partners from across the country to celebrate academic excellence, advocacy, and the spirit of justice.
The event marked a milestone for the Faculty, showcasing not only the talent of first-year law students but also the university’s commitment to experiential learning. The Moot Court, part of the Work-Integrated Learning module (XBLAW5119), gives students a practical taste of the courtroom environment requiring them to research, prepare legal arguments, and present before an expert panel.
Turning Classrooms into Courtrooms
Welcoming guests to the newly established Moot Court venue, Head of Law at Ruimsig Campus, Melisa Chawaremera, described the day as the realisation of a long-held vision.
“Today is not just another event in our academic calendar; it is a celebration of vision and collaboration,” she said. “When my team and I first requested a Moot Court venue at Ruimsig, we wanted to give our students more than just a classroom to learn in we wanted to give them a courtroom to grow in.”
Chawaremera expressed gratitude to the campus management team for transforming the idea into reality. “The Moot Court now stands as a physical testament to what shared purpose and teamwork can achieve,” she said, acknowledging Andre Lubbe, Doreen Mukuku, and Marlean Dias for their dedication to the project.
She emphasised that the event represents more than competition it is a lesson in courage, integrity, and professional growth. “Our students are the heart of why we do what we do. As they argue their cases today, they embody the confidence and critical thinking we aim to cultivate.”
Celebrating Excellence and Transformation
Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Sharna-Lee Clarke, also addressed the gathering, welcoming the distinguished panel of judges, representatives from LexisNexis, the Department of Justice, the Joburg Gazette, Inner City Gazette and the Helen Suzman Foundation.
Dr Clarke described the Moot Court as one of the Faculty’s proudest traditions, highlighting how it brings the university’s teaching philosophy to life.
“At Emeris, we believe law is not only to be studied as a set of rules, but to be lived as a practice of reasoning, advocacy, and service,” she said. “Mooting bridges theory and practice, develops critical thinking, and instils the confidence every future lawyer needs.”
This year’s competition saw more than 500 first-year students participate across various campuses, with the top four finalists selected to argue in the national final. The competition’s structure involving written “Heads of Argument” and oral advocacy mirrors real courtroom practice, preparing students for the realities of the legal profession.
“The Moot is not only about winning or losing,” Dr Clarke said. “It’s about planting seeds. For some, it will ignite a lifelong love for litigation for others, a passion for justice, research, or teaching. Whatever path they choose, the skills gained here will stay with them for life.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Legal Minds
Both speakers highlighted how the Moot Court aligns with the Faculty’s broader mission to produce lawyers who are skilled, principled, and ready for practice in South Africa and beyond. Dr Clarke congratulated the finalists for their hard work and determination, commending them as representatives of Emeris’s excellence. “You stand here not only as representatives of your campuses but as examples of what dedication and perseverance can accomplish in just the first year of study,” she said.
Chawaremera closed her remarks by reminding guests that the success of the Moot Court reflects the power of partnership between academia and industry. “Education, at its best, is not confined to classrooms,” she said. “It is lived, debated, and continuously reimagined.” As the final arguments began, anticipation filled the air a fitting atmosphere for an event that not only celebrates the art of advocacy but also the promise of South Africa’s future legal minds.
