Winners announced of 2025 Children’s Rights Moot Court Competition
How can we safeguard children’s rights in conflict zones? The winners of the 2025 Children’s Rights Moot Court Competition, team 19 from O.P. Jindal Global University in India, show unique potential to bring about positive change in this area.
The 2025 Children’s Rights Moot Court Competition, organised by the Department of Child Law and Health Law in partnership with Baker McKenzie, brought together law students from around the world to address complex issues related to children's rights in conflict zones. The final was held on 16 April.
The competition featured a challenging fictitious scenario that focused on the legal protection of children in war zones. It highlighted issues that are tragically relevant today, as ongoing conflicts around the world continue to expose children to grave risks, including displacement, recruitment by armed groups, and violations of their fundamental rights.
During the competition, students argued their cases online, making the event accessible to participants from nearly 20 countries. Over 110 students formed 31 teams, dedicating more than 270 hours to the competition.
The winners
The winners of the 2025 Children’s Rights Moot Court Competition are:
- Winner of the Children’s Rights Moot Court Competition 2025 – Team 19: O.P. Jindal Global University, India
- Finalist Team – Team 6: University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Best Memorial for the Applicant – Team 36: Student Programme of the Inner Temple, UK
- Best Memorial for the Respondent – Team 16: University of Tehran, Iran
- Best Oral Argument for the Applicant – Team 19: O.P. Jindal Global University, India
- Best Oral Argument for the Respondent – Team 6: University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Best Oralist (Preliminary Round Score) – Debora Mihaleva, Plovdiv University, Bulgaria
Scientific Director and Professor of Civil Law Vanessa Mak gave a speech in which she highlighted the importance of the competition and the students’ focus on children’s rights: ‘To all the students who have taken part in this competition: Congratulations! Your hard work, insight, and commitment to children’s rights have been evident at every stage. Whether you are walking away today with a trophy or with new questions and ideas, you are all winners in the cause of justice. You represent the promise of a future legal community that does not look away from suffering, but leans in with integrity, compassion, and knowledge.’
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The event was held online and included students from nearly 20 countries. -
The students were judged by a panel of international legal experts.
Professor Ton Liefaard from Leiden Law School who initiated the competition in 2014, said about the competition: ‘The Children’s Rights Moot Court provides law students from around the world the opportunity to engage in a global competition entirely devoted to topical children’s rights issues. It raises awareness among all participants that children’s rights as a field of international law is essential for the protection of children in difficult and life-threatening circumstances.’
Angela Vigil, Pro Bono Partner and Executive Director of Global Pro Bono at Baker McKenzie, emphasised the importance of engaging law students early in their careers. She stated: ‘Children’s rights cannot be realised without legal heroes. We hope this competition inspires law students to dedicate their talents to protecting children, whether as pro bono volunteers or full-time public interest lawyers.’
The final rounds were judged by a distinguished panel of international legal experts, including:
- Leila Zerrougui, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Children in Armed Conflict
- Professor Ann Skelton, former Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
- Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
- Dr Fikire Tinsae Birhane, Case author Children’s Rights Moot Court 2025
- Jaime Trujillo Caicedo, Partner at Baker McKenzie
For more information on the competition and future editions, visit the page on the Children's Rights Moot Court Competition.