Cambridge wins inaugural intervarsity Roman law moot

Cambridge wins inaugural intervarsity Roman law moot

The University of Cambridge has emerged victorious in a new intervarsity Roman law moot.

The event saw two experienced teams put to the test with moots that revolved around a Roman private law dispute set in the reign of Justinian the Great.

It was run jointly by Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities and was organised by Dr Benjamin Spagnolo at Cambridge and Jonathan Ainslie at Edinburgh.

This year’s problem focused on wrongful damage to property and insult within the context of damage to a funerary monument.

The Cambridge team comprised Ellie Ripley, Brendan Low, William Gelley, and Christopher Symes.

Edinburgh was represented by Jordan Smith, Michaela Shackleton, Jamie Perriam, and Kate McIntosh.

Ms McIntosh won a Best Oralist Award for her argument on the actio iniuriarum while Mr Gelley won a Best Oralist Award for his argument on the actio damni iniuriae.

Chair of Roman law at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Paul du Plessis, told Scottish Legal News: “Roman law is indispensable for understanding Scots law, both in terms of its history, as well as its contemporary taxonomies, structures, vocabulary, and patterns of argumentation.

“Initiatives such as this one once again demonstrate the fundamental didactic importance of Roman law as a foundational disciple for the teaching of Scots law.”

Mr Ainslie told SLN that he and co-founder Mr Spagnolo first had the idea for the moot last year. He said: “We are delighted that it has been possible to make the idea a reality despite the difficult circumstances of the past few months.

“We look forward to many future events where students can hopefully meet and network in person.”

It is hoped that future competitions will be held in person where a trophy will be presented at a dinner for all participants after the event.

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