September 28, 2017 – Adelaide, Australia

At the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) organized the Final Rounds of the 2017 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. Altogether, world-wide 74 teams participated in the four Regional Rounds.

The World Finals on 28 September 2017 were judged by one former Member and two sitting Members of the International Court of Justice (ICJ): H.E. Ret. Judge Sir Kenneth Keith, H.E. Judge Kirill Gevorgian and H.E. Judge James Crawford.

The problem, on issues relating to interference with the activities of states in the use of lunar resources, and the resolution of the dispute under the novel principles of ex aequo et bono, was authored by Dr. Michael Simpson, Executive Director of the Secure World Foundation, and Mr. Christopher Johnson, Secure World’s Space Law Advisor.

The 2017 Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition Winning Team

Winner of the World Final of Manfred Lachs Moot Court competition and recipient of the Lee Love Award:

National Law School, India University at Bangalore (Asia Pacific), Sharan A. Bhavnani, Karan Dhalla, and Hrishika Jain

Runner-Up:

University of Mississippi (North America), Alexia Boggs and Mr. Kent Aldenderfer, supported by their teammate, Mr. Kyle Hansen

Semi-Finalists:

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Europe)

University of Pretoria, South Africa (Africa)

Best Memorials, Eilene Galloway Award:

National Law School, India University at Bangalore (Asia Pacific), Sharan A. Bhavnani, Karan Dhalla, and Hrishika Jain

Best Oralist, Sterns and Tennen Award:

Alexia Boggs, University of Mississippi (North America)

Semi-Final Judges:

Oral Pleadings

Prof. Henry Hertzfeld (United States), Prof. Mahulena Hoffman, (Czech Republic), Dr. Ranjana Kaul (India), Dr. Seidu Onailo Mohammed (Nigeria), Dr. Elina Morozova (Russsia), Prof. Yun Zhao (China)

Memorials

Dr. Ulrike M. Bohlmann (Germany), Prof. Melissa deZwart (Australia), Lusani Nelufule Mugivhi (South Africa), Rosa Maria Ramirez de Arellano y Haro (Mexico), Dr. Milton ‘Skip’ Smith, Esq. (United States), Prof. Dale Stephens (Australia), Adv. Phetole Patrick Sekula (South Africa)

Final Judges:

H.E. Judge James Richard Crawford, International Court of Justice

H.E. Judge Kirill Gevorgian, International Court of Justice

H.E. Judge Kenneth Keith, Former Member, International Court of Justice

Brochure:

Please see attached.