The competition involved a common law legal problem requiring analysis and oral presentation of legal arguments to leading common law judges with a combined total of more than 90 years of common law experience. Two student teams representing the strongest schools of law mooting teams in the Republic of Kazakhstan – M. Narikbayev KAZGUU University and KIMEP University – took part in this legal competition. 

The Moot Final was conducted in English – the official language of the AIFC. KIMEP University won the AIFC Court & IAC Moot Final and was awarded “The AIFC Court & IAC Moot Final Winners Cup”. All final participants won an opportunity to experience an internship at the AIFC Court and IAC. 

The moot competition is a well-known student simulation of a court hearing, in which young future lawyers have a chance to analyse a legal problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions, and present oral argument to experienced practicing judges. TheAIFC Court & IAC Moot Final applied the English common law. 

The Rt. Hon. Sir Robin Jacob, Justice of the AIFC Court, the Rt. Hon, Sir Stephen Richards, Justice of the AIFC Court, judged the “Moot” final. The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mance, Chair of the International Law Association and former Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, was also one of the judges in the “Moot” final. 

 Sir Robin Jacob, Justice of the AIFC Court, stated: 

 “I was really impressed by the level of preparation of both student teams. They studied a complex legal problem in a relatively short period of time. They also demonstrated an excellent command of English language. I was delighted to see that such talented Kazakhstani youth has such a genuine interest in the English common law and that such students want o practice common law at the AIFC Court in the future.”

Mr. Christopher Campbell-Holt, Registrar and Chief Executive, AIFC Court and International Arbitration Centre commented: 

 “The “Moot” is just one part of our extensive legal education program this year. 2018 has been a pilot-year and first year of our operation, but nevertheless we have managed to organise three intensive training programs delivered by world-class common law academics and law practitioners from the University of Cambridge, University College London, and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution. The Moot Final is a final milestone in this 2018 legal education program for the AIFC Court and IAC. We aim to expand the Moot competition in 2019 to include law schools from elsewhere in Kazakhstan and throughout the Eurasia region.” 

The AIFC Court and IAC held the Moot Final in the framework of their continuing legal education program aimed to support the delivery of high quality common law legal education and training to meet the needs of lawyers and judges in Kazakhstan and the Eurasia region.

Reference:

AIFC. The AIFC was established on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. In December 2015 President Nazarbayev approved the Constitutional Statute “On the Astana International Financial Centre” (AIFC). The aim of the AIFC is to establish a leading international centre for financial services. The objectives of the AIFC are to attract investment into the economy through the establishment of an attractive environment for investment in financial services, develop local capital markets, ensuring their integration with the international capital markets. www.aifc.kz

The AIFC Court is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on English common law procedures and leading international practice. The AIFC Court is separate and independent from the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It consists of two tiers: a Court of First Instance, which includes a specialist division known as the Small Claims Court; and a Court of Appeal. It has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising out of the activities and operations of the AIFC and jurisdiction in the case of other disputes in which all parties agree in writing to give the AIFC Court jurisdiction. It does not have jurisdiction in relation to any disputes that are of a criminal or administrative nature. It applies the most up to date and efficient case management practices. 

The AIFC International Arbitration Centre (IAC) is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on best international practice. It has its own panel of leading international arbitrators and mediators having many years of arbitration and mediation experience in commercial law, including oil and gas, trade, construction, energy, financial services, banking, Islamic finance, insurance and copy right. IAC arbitration awards are recognised and enforceable in Kazakhstan and internationally.