The seventh China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) Moot Court Competition for Graduate Students was held from 18 April to 18 May 2017. The China-EU School of Law’s (CESL) Moot Court Team went through four fierce competitions and eventually finished as the runner-up.

The final was on 18 May, with a topic focusing on a complex criminal case mixing robbery, theft and other accusations. CESL Moot Court Team, as the defense, had a fierce debate with the prosecution. 2016 double master student Fei Yinbo played the role of defendant in the final, with his fellow classmates Zheng Yan and Si Junling as defenders. The topic put the defense in a relatively disadvantaged position. However, CESL team members developed a countermeasure to the prosecution through intensive discussion and preparation. During the process of preparing for the competitionYu Chong, the lecturer from the CUPL Criminal Justice Collegef provided support as the coach. He contributed with his profound knowledge.

From the preliminary to the final round, CESL Moot Court Team also received “the Best Legal Instrument” prize and several individual awards. Five of the eight team members were honoured with a total of six individual awards.

From left to right: Zhang Yan, Meng Fanqin, Duan Tingxi, Si Junling, Liang Ziyan, Fei Yinbo, Li Yuanhuan, Zhou Xiaoyu

Founded in 2016, CESL Moot Court Team has always been an active player both in debate competitions and moot court competitions. 2015 double master student Meng Fanqin was the first captain and coach of the CESL Moot Court Team.

In 2016, the eigth Graduate Student Debate Competition of CUPL witnessed the CESL Moot Court Team’s achievement of a Third Prize. Fei Yinbo won the awards of “Best Debater” and “Most Popular Debater” in the preliminary, quarter final and semi-final.

In 2017, the seventh University Legal Debate Competition was held in Beijing. CESL students Fei Yinbo and Zhou Xiaoyu as team members of CUPL won the championship. Fei Yinbo received three times the “Best Debater” award in preliminary, semi-final and final.

Individual awards received by the CESL Moot Court Team in the 2017 CUPL Moot Court

Team members who participated in the 2017 CUPL Moot Court competition:

2015 double master’s students:

Meng Fanqin

Liang Ziyan

2016 double master’s students:

Fei Yinbo

Zheng Yan

Duan Tingxi

Li Yuanhuan

Zhou Xiaoyu

Si Junling

Article by Si Junling and Zhou Xiaoyu (CESL 2016 double master’s students)