PCL Moot Court on the legal implications of AI

As a major contributor towards legal education and skills development of law aspirants, Pakistan College of Law conducted its 6th Annual National Moot Court Competition on 25-26 January 2019, sponsored by the University of London Undergraduate Laws Grant Fund.

Each year, a specific area of law is selected in creating the moot problem provided to participating teams in an attempt to broaden their knowledge and understanding of different areas of law. 

This year’s event witnessed an astounding number of 18 country-wide institutions with spirited participation in the simulated moot court competition. With teams from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Malakand, Dir and Hyderabad, we were particularly proud of the pioneering participation of the team from Shaheed Bhutto University, Dir. This team noted that the two-day event at Pakistan College of Law taught them more about law, legal representation and argument development  than their undergraduate study has been able to do. This remark from the team reaffirmed our trust in the utility of conducting simulated moot court events and related activities associated with effective drafting.

The two-day competition, focusing on a specially created fact sheet, challenged the participants to showcase their understanding of the legal implications of the use of Artificial Intelligence and the connection with violations of Convention Rights, particularly the right to privacy.

The final round was judged by an esteemed panel consisting of renowned lawyers as well as academics, Mr Salman Akram Raja (Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan), Mr Alessandro Chieregato (Deputy Director, Pakistan Center of Legal Research and Publication), Mr Ibrahim Haroon (Advocate High Court), and Mr Zeeshaan Zafar Hashmi (Advocate High Court and PCL Lecturer).

Mr Salman Akram Raja, who was delighted to judge the final round, appreciated the participation of the teams and encouraged students to continue taking part in such competitions.

The 6th PCL National Moot Court Competition was won by Lahore University of Management Sciences, with Indus College of Law, Hyderabad, the runner-up. The winner’s and runner-up trophies were presented by our Guest of Honour, Mr Saad Wasim (University of London Regional Advisor, South Asia), Mr Salman Akram Raja, Professor Tasneem Kausar (Principal, Pakistan College of Law) and Professor Humayoun Ihsan (Dean, Pakistan College of Law). 

Pakistan College of Law is thankful for the support of the University of London Undergraduate Laws Grant Funding Programme towards making the 6th Annual National Pakistan College of Law Moot Court Competition a success. We are also thankful to Mr Saad Wasim for encouraging us to conduct an International Moot Court Competition next year and look forward to doing so.

• Amna Riaz Ali holds an LLB (Hons) degree from the University of London. She has served as a Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of Pakistan and as a Lecturer and Mooting Coordinator at Pakistan College of Law.