PHNOM PENH: On December 3, a team of three law students from the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) won the first place at the Cambodian national rounds of the 2023 International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition organized by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), co-hosted with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP).

Four teams from participating universities: RULE, AUPP, and the National University of Management (NUM) took part in the semi-final and final rounds held inside the ECCC’s courtroom. Seven Cambodian and foreign academics and legal professional adjudicated the competition.

The winning team for the first place from RULE was comprised of three women: Chea Dalinna, Taing Kimsuo, and Horn Sokngim, who will progress to the Asia-Pacific Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition, hosted in Hong Kong in 2024.

Chea Dalinna said, “I am really happy and proud of us. Thanks to my co-counsel and researcher for contributing to all the success”.

“To other law students, they should try (join) moot court competition like us because this is an opportunity to gain more and cohesive knowledge and know how to do a lot of research. After joining the competition, we have received practical knowledge and experience because it is not easy to get it [by] just studying. For example, learning hypothetical cases through the competition is really good,” she added.

The ECCC congratulated all participating law students on their efforts to promote the important principles of IHL through moot court competition and looks forward to actively supporting such initiatives during its residual phase.