Faculty of Law
Over the last three years, MonaLaw public law teachers and students have jointly organised an annual debate around issues in constitutional law and Commonwealth Caribbean human rights law. The debates have tackled public law questions that have captured public imagination such as the role of the executive in the appointment of Caribbean chief justices, and whether restrictions on fundamental rights in the context of Covid-19 require the calling of a state of public emergency.
The debates support student development by providing an avenue for developing their skills in legal research, analysis and advocacy and by promoting team work and student leadership. They have become exciting events in the calendar of MonaLaw students, none more than the 2019 debate between Year 1 students doing Constitutional Law and Year 2 students doing Commonwealth Caribbean Human Rights Law in which the year 1 students defeated those in year 2!
Participating in Faculty of Law Debates has definitely helped me to grow and develop as a university student and aspiring attorney. Each motion has contemplated five legal issues, engaging the real world implications of course theory and motivating me to think outside the box. Enjoyable collaboration with sharp, dedicated teammates has further impressed upon me the value of diverse perspectives and collective resolution. My legal reasoning, research skills and use of structured argumentation have evolved with every debate benefitting from the high standards and excellent guidance of my lecturers.
Mona Law Society
Being a debater at MonaLaw is an extremely fulfilling experience. It's one thing to learn the law everyday in class, it's a whole other thing to have your knowledge, research, argumentation and public speaking skills put to the test with an interesting moot point. An added benefit is that even if you don't win but did excellent work, you've probably already fully prepared for at least one exam topic. Its really a win win. I'd encourage every willing law student to take part in at least one.
Mona Law Society
The prospect seemed daunting: to prepare speeches, do research and even debate in front of the entire faculty/ It is, however, the journeyys which seem the most challenging which grant the most fulfilling experiences and the most important lesssons. in undergoing my own research, and through working with my team in drafting the arguments, I was able to obtain a much deeper understanding of that area of law and how it applies in various situations.
Mona Law Society
Among the great things I experienced as an excited new student was the Constitutional Law vs CCHR students' debate. The experience was riveting. We were worried, nervous, afraid that we would be the underdogs, because the CCHR students were ahead of us. Before and on the day of the competition we decided we would put everything into the debate and our efforts were not in vain. WE WERE VICTORIOUS. The little nervous first years had proven that we were in no way underdogs. These debates helped us with exam preparations and I can honestly say, the friendships and bonds built with my teammates, are still going strong to this day.
Mona Law Society
It's always interesting to hear the views of others and to juxtapose them with that of yours. It's even more intriguing when the issue at hand is a live one in your society. I had a great experience.
Mona Law Society
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
