An-Najah University won the First Moot Court Competition in Palestine in which four different Palestinian law faculties participated. The Competition was organized at the New Campus.

The Faculties of Law from An-Najah University, Al-Quds University, Palestine University, and Hebron University participated in the competition in moot trials that addressed different human and legal issues. Law students at An-Najah will take part in the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, USA in which 150 of the world’s universities will participate.

Dr. Mustafa Abdel Baqi, Director of Judicial Training and Legal Education at the Palestinian Justice Enhancement Program, said the Program aims to reinforce the practical courses in education which include moot trials and legal clinics, in addition to the reinforcement of legal research, which would enhance the skills and experience of both the staff and the students.

Muhammad Omar, one of the students at the Faculty of Law at An-Najah, said these moot trials and courts help the students build their skills and abilities, and enhance the Palestinian lawyer’s capabilities to handle appeals in front of international courts. These simulated courts provide the Palestinian lawyers with experience and knowledge about the different international covenants and agreements in order to prepare a generation of lawyers that would have the potential to bring the Palestinian cause to the light on the international level.

Prior to the competition, the University inaugurated An-Najah Legal Computer Lab and the First Moot Court Hall in Palestine which is sponsored by the USAID.

Prof. Maher Abu Eid, Vice President for Academic Affairs, said that An-Najah seeks to cope with the different developments in the field of law. He added that the establishment of the first legal clinic in the field of private law aims to train students and help poor Palestinians through providing them with the necessary legal support.

He also said that faculties of law in Palestine require a comprehensive plan for the development of law curricula, in addition to the preparation and training of the staff and the adoption of modern teaching methods.

Ms. Sherry Carlin, Deputy Mission Director of the USAID in Palestine, said the USAID is pleased to support and help in the development of judicial education in Palestine and help law students get the skills they need and the experience they aspire to obtain.

She also said that moot courts represent a key element in the development of the student’s education and are considered a great source of motivation for them to participate in similar activities internationally.