PILnet organized a one-day moot competition for Hong Kong Law students to help strengthen their legal reasoning, research, and advocacy skills to challenge mental health discrimination.
Mental health discrimination is a frequently overlooked problem, with serious impacts on the lives of those who experience it. As part of our work to empower the next generation of legal professionals and support them in realizing their potential to shape a better future, we held a one-day moot competition April 25 in partnership with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong, and the law firms Johnson Stokes & Master, Chaudhry Solicitors, Simmons & Simmons, and the barristers’ chambers Temple Chambers and QED Chambers.
18 passionate law students from Hong Kong law schools came together to research the anti-discrimination legal frameworks, develop persuasive arguments, and critically explore potential legal recourse for individuals facing discrimination due to mental health conditions.
Through a simulated moot question, participants applied existing laws and regulations to develop strong, persuasive arguments, and closely analysed potential legal recourse for individuals facing discrimination due to mental health conditions.
“Our first moot was more than an argument, it was a journey into empathy and advocacy,” said student participant Chioma Sylva. “Exploring mental health discrimination reminded us that law is not only about reason, but also about humanity.”
Students had the chance to examine important themes, including discrimination in healthcare, where they investigated the barriers faced by individuals with mental health conditions in accessing care and equal treatment. They researched current laws and regulations that safeguard against discrimination based on mental health status and engaged with real-world scenarios and relevant case law that illustrate the complexities of discrimination in legal contexts.
This competition serves not only as a platform for fostering legal talent, but also aims to inspire future legal professionals to contribute to equity and justice within public interest law.
“I really enjoyed being part of this,” said Nigel Sharman, Senior Associate with Chaudhry Solicitors, and competition judge. “The standard of argument and the willingness to grapple with a nuanced area of law stood out. A promising group of future advocates.”
Learn more about our work to inspire the next generation of legal professionals to engage in pro bono and public interest legal projects.