Three USP Law Students Shine at Hague Debate, Eyeing the Next Round

Three law students from the University of the South Pacific (USP) are proudly representing the Pacific region at this year’s prestigious Hague Debate, where they are competing against more than 30 universities from around the globe. The USP team has successfully completed the second round of the competition, which evaluates participants on their advocacy skills, legal reasoning, and understanding of international law.

Team captain Jone Nomani highlighted the experience of facing one of the world’s top-ranked teams, describing it as both daunting and rewarding. “Competing against the Hague University of Applied Sciences was a little bit nerve-wracking, conscious of the fact that they are number two in the world in the Hague debate, and we’re number nine. So it was a challenge, but it was a good experience for us,” he stated.

Catherine Singh noted that the team showcased significant improvement in their second match. “Our second match was stronger. We were well-versed with the treaties, the case laws, and the legislations. We structured our submission in IRAC format: issue, rule, application, conclusion,” she explained.

Coach Shivendra Nath reinforced the significance of the competition, stating that it mirrors real-world legal practice. “Being a lawyer is like being in the public forum. You can’t retract whatever you’re saying. Whatever you say is heard and written by everyone,” he commented.

Bhavna Mala, another team member, expressed how preparing both sides of the debate improved their advocacy skills. “We research primary sources, law cases, articles, conventions, and we had to prepare both sides, negative and affirmative, and that was very interesting because you learn both sides,” she remarked.

As the tournament progresses, the USP team eagerly awaits the next stage of the competition, demonstrating resilience and commitment while making their mark on the international legal stage. Their journey embodies the spirit of competition and growth, showcasing the potential for Pacific students in global arenas.