Legal team from St Petersburg University wins silver in the MGIMO Moot Court competition

The University was represented at the competition by students Anna Vasileva and Sofiia Mezheburskaia. The participants had to compete with more than 45 teams from 20 regions of Russia for the prize.

During the mock trial, the teams had to present the prepared positions of the prosecution and the defence and demonstrate their skills in public speaking and legal techniques.

This year, the teams had to work on a case in which a citizen was found guilty of murder involving robbery, transportation and storage of weapons, leaving a minor in a condition dangerous to life and health, and the sale of narcotic drugs. ‘The case was very voluminous. The organisers chose a real case for the competition and invited lawyers who had worked with it,’ said student Anna Vasileva.

During the absentee stage, the participants prepared memoranda for the defence and the prosecution. During the in-person stage in Moscow, they represented the prosecution or defence in a mock trial during the appeal and submission process.

‘We really enjoyed acting for the defence. During the preparation, we carefully worked out the position with our coach — Andrei Tuzov, Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Procedure and Criminal Investigations at St Petersburg University. We were prepared for the prosecution’s rebuttals and the judges’ questions. It was particularly interesting to hear at the end how the case was actually resolved and to communicate with the lawyers whose team had handled it,’ said Anna Vasileva.

As a result, the jury awarded the team from St Petersburg University second place. According to the results of the Moot Court, Sofiia Mezheburskaia received a certificate for active participation in the MGIMO Moot Court and high level of oratory skills. Anna Vasileva received a certificate for active participation in the competition and high level of presentation of the legal position of the defence.