The UCT Moot Society is very happy with this year’s intervarsity competition, which saw its largest turnout yet, at six universities and 22 mooters, with nearly 70 people attending in total.

Joining veteran participants – the Universities of Cape Town, Western Cape, Fort Hare and Stellenbosch University and Varsity College - was newcomer, the University of the Free State. This year’s topic focused on IP law and copyright around the development of an app capable of generating news articles through its own research. It was set by UCT’s Dr Tobias Schonwetter.

All teams performed admirably with judges remarking on the high quality of speaking and the legal knowledge on display.

The participants from the University of the Free State made a strong showing, challenging incumbent champions, the University of Fort Hare, in a nail-biting final round adjudicated by former Justices Kate O’Regan and Albie Sachs, Acting Judge Hayley Slingers and Professor Caroline Ncube, the SARChI chair in IP law.

Ultimately though, Gugu Tom and Halalisani Xulu, from the University of Fort Hare, overcame the University of the Free State’s Rochelle Da Silva and Xolani Vilakazi to win their second consecutive Kate O’Regan Intervarsity Moot Competition.

The day ended with Justice Sachs giving a powerful speech on the importance of collegiality in the legal world and a moving tribute to Justice O’Regan.

The UCT Moot Society wishes to thank all participants, judges, bailiffs, and our generous sponsors, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Werksmans Attorneys, and Africa Legal for their contributions which made the competition possible. We look forward to working with you again for another successful competition in 2020!