Supreme Court Conducts Second Moot Court Competition Workshop

Students attending the Brief Writing Workshop given by Law Clerk Katherine Eckrote at the SSZ Conference Room, Guma’ Hustisia. (October 20, 2025)

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Saipan, CNMI – On October 21st, the Supreme Court held the second session in its three-part Moot Court workshop series, focusing on appellate brief writing. Now in its third year, the High School Moot Court program offers students a chance to role-play as appellate attorneys in a mock appeal of a fictional case, fostering a deeper understanding of the judicial process.

During the workshop, student advocates attended an interactive session covering the stages of brief writing—from legal research and outlining to drafting and editing. The session also addressed the structure of appellate briefs and common writing pitfalls.

Over fifty students from six high schools have registered for the competition, which will be held at the Guma’ Hustisia on December 4-5. In the competition’s first phase, participants draft written briefs advocating their assigned position of appellant or appellee. In the second phase, they will present oral arguments in a courtroom setting before a panel of three justices.

The championship team will represent the Commonwealth at Georgetown University’s Moot Court competition in March 2026.

Program sponsors include the Public School System’s Federal Programs Office, CNMI Bar Association and the NMI Judiciary Historical Society.

2025-PR-021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2025

This press release has been prepared by court staff for the convenience of the public. For further information, contact the Supreme Court at Supreme.Court@NMIJudiciary.gov