THIRTY students from three high schools are participating in this year’s CNMI Supreme Court Moot Court championship at the Guma’ Hustisia in Susupe.
The competition started on Thursday, Dec. 5, and will conclude today, Friday, Dec. 6.
From Marianas High School, the student advocates are Danice Fernando, Savannah Flores, Montrey Germance, Grant Li, Kelly Lian, Steven Lian, Frances Licda, Sarah Lim, Jia Nicdao, Branred Pamintuan, Yehin Son, Julia Taitano, Ricky Tang, and Jenny Zhang. Their teacher, coach and adviser is attorney Stephen Woodruff.
The Saipan International School student advocates are Asa Backe, Jinhyun (Felix) Choi, Lua Kim, Scarlett Kim, Kyle Kramer, Charlie Li, Eva Lizunova, Celine Park, Irene Park, Victor Nash Santos, Libby Tom, Hoo Wang, Jacky Zhen, and Zi Hao (Michael) Zhou. Their teacher, coach and adviser is Stacia Beiniks.
Mount Carmel School has two student advocates: Carly Dela Cruz and Christopher Dela Cruz. Their teacher, coach and adviser is Chris Kwarciany.
Unlike the mock trial competition, the moot court competition deals with appellate cases.
On Thursday, moot court participants argued, either as appellants or appellees, to either affirm or overturn a fictional trial court decision regarding Sabrina Katpinteru v. Biba Regional Aerial Transport, a fictional case.
According to the case summary, Sabrina, a pilot, sued her former employer, BRAT Air, for religious discrimination after the company refused to accommodate her request for Saturdays off due to her faith. BRAT Air countersued, alleging that Sabrina breached the non-compete clause in her employment contract by accepting a job flying the same route as its competitor, Swift Air, on a different day of the week.
In her appeal, Sabrina argued that the trial court applied the wrong standard for determining whether an accommodation would create an undue hardship for an employer. She said BRAT Air violated SIRENA, the local law prohibiting religious discrimination in the workplace, and that the trial court erred in finding that the non-compete clause was enforceable against her.
Student advocates, in teams of two, presented arguments on two separate legal issues before the volunteer justices.
The volunteer justices, for their part, asked the student advocates a variety of questions regarding their positions on the case.
The championship round will be held in the CNMI Supreme Court courtroom today, Friday, Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m.
The perpetual championship trophy, Lady Hustisia, will be awarded to the winning high school, which will also represent the CNMI in the National Association of Moot Court Tournament at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut on April 5-6, 2025.
Last year, MHS juniors Princes Habal and Julia Taitano won the 2023 High School Moot Court Competition by besting 16 other students from MHS, Saipan International School, and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr.-Sr. High School.
A student advocate argues before volunteer justices David Banes, Karie Comstock, and Rachel Blue.
Saipan International School student advocate Eva Lizunova looks at her notes during an appellate hearing on Tuesday.
Lady Hustisia, the perpetual championship trophy, will be awarded to the winning high school, which will represent the CNMI in the National Association of Moot Court Tournament at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, on April 5-6, 2025.
Personal Lady Hustisia trophies will be awarded to the four finalists.
