Judges Advise Law Students on Effective Courtroom Argumentation

Members of the Bench have challenged law students to refine their courtroom presentation, emphasizing the importance of succinct arguments rooted in legal precedent. During the final of the 13th National Inter-University Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in Kampala, judges advised students to identify their strongest legal points early and articulate them efficiently.

Court of Appeal Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire likened effective legal arguments to scoring goals in football, urging students to focus on impactful points within the allocated time. He cautioned against lengthy introductions, suggesting that a strong opening argument within the first minute can significantly capture the court’s attention. Justice Kiryabwire also advised against explicitly stating an intention to “persuade” the court, as advocates should present their case and allow the judges to make their decision. He further stressed the need for arguments to be grounded in existing law and relevant judicial decisions, rather than presented as academic essays.

Echoing these sentiments, Court of Appeal Justice Eva Luswata recommended paraphrasing facts rather than reading lengthy passages. She encouraged the use of short, precise sentences for better clarity and impact during oral submissions. Inspector General of Government Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, while commending the students’ grasp of the hypothetical case facts, also cautioned against overly academic presentations.

The competition saw the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Female Campus, emerge as the winner, defeating 17 other universities. Uganda Pentecostal University (UPU) secured the runner-up position. The moot centered on “Reproductive and Gender Justice in Uganda,” exploring constitutional rights, public interest, and social values through a hypothetical case involving a state’s alleged failure to provide reproductive health services.

This article is based on information from the Daily Monitor.