Like mooting but don't want to spend all summer in the library? Then the ALPSA Legal Philosophy Moot is for you. The Moot will be on the Case of the Speluncean Explorers, which raises the question of whether it is ever appropriate to kill another person in order to aid your own survival. The emphasis in the moot is on reasoning and advocacy, rather than extensive research. Entries close 29 August 2008.

LEGAL PHILOSOPHY MOOT

The Legal Philosophy Moot involves:
• Brief written submissions appealing the case, and defending it
• A focus on legal reasoning, not reading cases
• Teams of three

QUESTIONS & ENTRIES:
contact alpsa2008@gmail.com
More info: http://alpsa-alpsa.blogspot.com/
Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus

RELEVANT DATES
Registration opens: 31 JULY 2008 (alpsa2008@gmail.com)
Registration closes: 29 AUGUST 2008 (alpsa2008@gmail.com)
Written submissions: 20 SEPTEMBER 2008 (alpsa2008@gmail.com)
MOOT DATES: 27-28 SEPTEMBER 2008

More on the topic
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Newgarth heard The Case of the Speluncean Explorers. The decision of the court to convict (and therefore execute, as mandated by Newgarth law) the surviving explorers has been the subject of considerable public debate. There are strong supporters of the decision, as well as those who think that the decision was an abomination of justice. Bowing to public pressure, the Chief Executive stayed the execution which was scheduled for Friday April 2 of this year, 4300. The Chief Executive has convened an Executive Clemency Board to hear a final appeal on the matter. The Executive Clemency Board will be prepared to listen to legal argument, jurisprudential reasoning, and general philosophical argument made persuasively. As Newgarth is a common law country, the Board will treat decisions from other common law counties as persuasive – if their reasoning is persuasive – but not binding. You must prepare written & oral submissions appealing & defending the decision.