University of Auckland wins 2024 IHL Moot
5 December 2024
This year's Moot case saw TechAnon appear before the International Criminal Court. Although a fictional case, it highlights real concerns about the use and misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and social media in modern warfare. It shows the effects of war in cities and the risks of targeting civilian objects.
Jimin Seo, Francis Inn Yu Wee, and their researcher Gulliver MacDonald from the University of Auckland | Waipapa Raumata Rau won this year’s New Zealand Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot Court competition. The Auckland team was supported by Staff coaches Hayley Botha and Oscar Read.
The win came after a compelling prosecution argument in a fictional court case on the use of technology and warfare in urban environments.
On Saturday, November 30, 2024, four teams representing the University of Auckland | Waipapa Raumata Rau, Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, and University of Waikato | Whare Wānanga o Waikato competed in the annual Moot Court.
The two finalist teams presented their arguments as both prosecution and defence in front of judges: His Excellency Viktor Vavricka Ambassador of Switzerland, Leishia Pettigrew, and Chris Griggs. The final for the mock International Criminal Court was hosted by Victoria University of Wellington in the Buddle Finlay Moot Room.
The competition began with two preliminary rounds in which each team argued as both the defence and prosecution. From these rounds, two finalist teams were selected.
In a gripping final the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington gave their all. While noting how close the competition was, the judges ultimately declared the University of Auckland the winning team. The cup was awarded to the Auckland team by New Zealand Red Cross General Manager of Engagement and Enterprise, Shane Chisholm. Hattie Compton-Moen from Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka was awarded Best Speaker.
The audience included many Councillors of Honour and past and present members of the New Zealand IHL Committee including Sir Ken Keith, Lady Jocelyn Keith, Dr Rod Alley, Dell Higgie, and New Zealand Red Cross National Board Member Sue Chamberlain. Allelu N. de Jesus from ICRC also joined as a preliminary judge and a link to the wider Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
The winning team will represent New Zealand at the Asia Pacific Regional International Humanitarian Law Moot in Hong Kong in March 2025.
The annual International Humanitarian Law Moot allows law students to apply their knowledge of this branch of law to fictional cases based on real issues of modern warfare. The event is facilitated by the New Zealand Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), allowing students to deepen their understanding of international humanitarian law and the role of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
More information
Lead image: Jimin Seo, Francis Inn Yu Wee, and Gulliver MacDonald from the University of Auckland with His Excellency Viktor Vavricka, Ambassador Ambassador of Switzerland.