The Future of Indonesian Law

The future of Indonesian law despite all the doom and gloom that many commentators talk about, is clearly not as doomy or gloomy as made out. Quite simply, the next generation of Indonesian lawyers and advocates are going to be highly-skilled, experienced in international forums (courts and tribunals), and able to hold their own against the best in the world. In fact, these Indonesian lawyers and advocates may just be the best in the world in their respective fields.

In some exciting news that I received late last night, the International Humanitarian Law Moot Team from the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia has won the International Law Moot Competition in Hong Kong. Excellent news!

Success in mooting competitions does not come easy. The team has reaped the rewards for the efforts that it has sown. The time sacrificed to participate is immense, but the rewards are equally large.

The competition was in English which in many ways makes the result even more impressive. Most law faculties do not infuse significant amounts of their respective curricula with English language subjects. So, to be successful in a competition of this size requires not only that the students develop and have excellent language skills, it also requires dedication to research, writing a pleading, and then being able to argue the case under intense questioning by judges.

Indonesia is new to the international law mooting game, but there has been increasing levels of success in recent years. This success is not only team-based, but also individual. In the most prestigious of law moots, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Competition, Indonesia has already achieved extra-ordinary individual success by producing the best oralist in the world.

More success is certain. Yet, it is important to remember that this is a work in progress and has relied heavily on the commitments of a dedicated few, at least initially, who work tirelessly and often behind the scenes.

Success breeds success!

Congratulations to all involved who have made this happen. They have brought credit not only to themselves, but to the whole of Indonesia.

This is a well-deserved result and suggests that the future of Indonesian law is much brighter than many imagine it to be.