On 25 January 2018, SMU alumna Chow Zi En became the second SMU graduate to emerge champion at the 2018 Maritime Law Association of Singapore (MLAS) Maritime Mooting Competition finals held in the David Marshall Moot Court at SMU School of Law.

The competition, which is into its second edition, is open to anyone who has not been called to the bar, and is organised with the key objective of encouraging law students and young lawyers to explore maritime law.  From 38 competitors last year, this year's moot competition featured about 50 entrants from Singapore's two law schools, the legal service, as well as law firms in the country.  A distinguished panel of more than 50 lawyers from firms such as Allen & Gledhill and Rajah & Tann judged the preliminary and knockout rounds.

[Above photos: The MLAS Maritime Mooting Competition in progress at David Marshall Moot Court. (Photo: Chen Siyuan)]

Competitors this year had to tackle a moot problem concerning an emergency tribunal's powers. The dispute was to be heard by an arbitral panel following the rules of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration.  Representing the claimant was Hanspreet Singh Sachdev (Cambridge/Drew & Napier) and representing the respondent was Chow Zi En, who graduated from SMU School of Law’s Class of 2017 and is currently a Practice Trainee with Rajah & Tann Asia.

Eventually, it was Zi En who impressed the esteemed judges – Judge of Appeal Steven Chong, Kenneth Tan SC and Gavin Kealey QC, who declared her the overall winner.  This is the second consecutive time that SMU graduate has won the competition (the first being Nicholas Liu, from the Class of 2015).

For her achievement, Zi En has won herself an exceptional opportunity to complete a fully sponsored internship with 7KBW London, a top commercial chambers with a reputation for excellence, intellectual rigour and providing practical, commercial advice.  This is on top of her prize money of $1500, kindly sponsored by the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore.

[Photo: (L-R) Chow Zi En receiving her award from Judge of Appeal Steven Chong. (Photo: Chen Siyuan)]

[Photo: (L-R) Mr Gavin Kealey QC, Judge of Appeal Steven Chong and Mr Kenneth Tan SC judging the championship finals at David Marshall Moot Court. (Photo: Chen Siyuan)]

[Photo: (L-R) Zi En with fellow finalist, Hanspreet Singh Sachdev. (Photo: Chen Siyuan)]

[Photo: Mr Gavin Kealey QC (R) congratulating Zi En (L) after the final. (Photo: Chen Siyuan)]