Supreme Court to Host Second Annual High School Moot Court Competition

Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Judiciary will be holding the Commonwealth’s High School Moot Court Competition on December 5–6, 2024. Thirty students in grades 9–12 from across the Commonwealth have participated this fall in a Moot Court program that will culminate in a two-day tournament at Guma’ Hustisia. The students have learned how to argue in an appellate court by participating in workshops, drafting legal briefs, and presenting oral arguments. Students will present arguments on behalf of their client in the mock case Katpinteru v. BRAT Air, regarding an employee’s request for religious accommodation and enforcement of a non-compete clause.

On December 5, students will compete in several rounds of oral arguments before panels of lawyers at Guma’ Hustisia. Students will compete in teams of two, representing their client on two different issues of law. Members of the NMI Bar Association will serve as justices in the preliminary and semi-final rounds. In the championship round on December 6, the top two teams will argue before Supreme Court Justice John A. Mangloña, Justice Perry B. Inos, and Chief Judge Ramona V. Mangloña of the United States District Court for the NMI.

The champions, finalists, and semi-finalists will receive awards recognizing their achievement. The winning team will represent the Commonwealth at the National Association of Moot Court’s regional competition held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut in April 2025.

Funding for the program has been provided by the Public School System, and organized by the Supreme Court Justices and staff.

The public is welcome to watch any round of competition and show their support for the competitors, but is particularly invited to attend the Championship and Awards Ceremony on December 6, 2024 at 10:30 am in the Supreme Court Courtroom, Guma’ Hustisia.

2024-PR-021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 2, 2024

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.