Drew & Napier win first nation-wide mooting competition for lawyers

17 Jan 2012

Drew & Napier junior lawyers Pardeep Singh Khosa and Mahesh Rai emerged the champions of the 2011-2012 English-Speaking Union Essex Court Chambers Singapore Mooting Competition.

Organised by Essex Court Chambers and supported by the Singapore Academy of Law, the competition was the first of its kind in Singapore.

On its way to first place, Drew beat Rodyk & Davidson, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and (in the finals) Wong Partnership. They argued the case before a distinguished judging panel comprising the Honourable Attorney-General Mr Sundaresh Menon SC, the Honourable Justice Steven Chong and the former Attorney-General of Hong Kong, Mr Michael Thomas QC.

This victory is testament to Drew’s indisputable standing as the number one dispute resolution firm in the country.

About the Competition

The 2011-2012 English-Speaking Union Essex Court Chambers Singapore Mooting Competition saw a total of 22 young lawyers from 7 local law firms, the Justices’ Clerks of the Supreme Court of Singapore and the Attorney-General’s Chambers participate in a knock-out style clash.

The judges used four criteria to evaluate each team’s performance: content, strategy, ability to respond and style. Emphasis was placed on their insight and analysis of the problem, their ability to rebut their opponent’s arguments, their marshalling of legal arguments, team work and oral advocacy skills.

This is the first time a mooting competition has been held in Singapore for qualified lawyers.

Participants had to be under the age of 30 and be lawyers or legal service officers in Singapore who have been in practice for no more than three years as at 30 September 2011.

The Singapore Mooting Competition is supported by the Singapore Academy of Law’s Professional Affairs Committee chaired by the Honourable Justice Steven Chong. This event represents the culmination of several months of collaboration between the SAL and the members of Essex Court Chambers in developing an event which provides young Singapore lawyers with a forum in which to hone their advocacy skills.

Essex Court Chambers is one of the leading sets of barristers’ chambers in the UK. They specialise in commercial and international law.