A Blackhall Place fused-PPC team has come first in a moot-court competition at Malta’s Constitutional Court.

On 17 December, the Valletta court saw the teams deal with questions of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) law.

The Blackhall team won the individual moot round at the ‘European Court of Human Rights Moot Court: The Last Resort’ contest.

The team consisted of Blackhall trainees Gavan McLaughlin, Hannah Kenny, Tasin Islam, and Philip Hayden.

The Irish entrants were also named best overall team to participate in the competition. 

Highest score

In addition, team member Gavan McLaughlin received the highest overall score for his oral submissions.

The competition was judged by a panel of former and current ECtHR justices – Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland (present), Justice Giovanni Bonello (former), and Justice Vincent De Gaetano (former).

Justice Gaetano also previously served as Chief Justice and President of the Constitutional Court in Malta.

The contest was organised by Laura Chetcuti Dimech, moot court officer for the Malta Law Students’ Society.

Competitor Philip Hayden said: “I’d like to thank PPC Connect again for supporting us in entering this competition. 

“We had an incredible time seeing Valletta, speaking with the law students in Malta, and getting to test our advocacy skills in an international competition. 

“And the fact that we actually won is just the cherry on top!” he said.

Congratulations to all involved.