The Third Republic Law Student Competition
On November 27, 2018, I assisted the IDLO in running their Third Annual Republic Law Student Competition. University students and their trainers all across the Kyrgyz Republic gathered in Bishkek at the International University of Kyrgyzstan to participate. That morning, teams were given one of three civil cases on loans and collaterals. They had until 12 pm to draft a written decision as if they were the judiciary.
In the afternoon, opening remarks were given by our IDLO Country Director, Fred Huston. Following, the teams presented their decisions and a powerpoint presentation to a panel of judges. The judges included of the Deputy Chairwoman of the Supreme Court, Justice Gorshkovskaya of the Bishkek City Court, the President of the Association of Legal Clinics and Ms. Maksimbekova, a Judicial Advisor for IDLO.
There was a lot of preparation put in by IDLO and the Association of Legal Clinics. It was organized jointly with the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan with support from USAID. Each team had their own classroom to prepare their decisions, their own set of legislation and laptop, but could consult nothing else. After the teams' presentations, the Chairwoman of the Supreme Court announced the winners and presented teams with prizes and certificates. The winning team was from the University of Kyrgyz National University (KNU). Each participating student walked away with a Certificate, an IDLO bag and a Compilation of Samples of Judicial Decisions in Civil and Criminal Cases, and Practical Guide on Commercial Mediation.
Competitions like this are crucial in strengthening the legal education system here in Kyrgyzstan. They educate students on the role of judges and the types of cases that go through the court system. They encourage legal scholarship and critical thinking. All these efforts are fundamental steps when trying to build a trusted judiciary here in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Check out the media attention on the Competition: