FNU Moot Team with the FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba (second from right) and CHE Acting Dean Professor Mesake Dakuidreketi (left)

The Fiji National University (FNU) Moot team has achieved a historic victory by clinching the 2024 Inter-Tertiary Moot Competition.

This marked the first time in the university’s 14-year history that such an accomplishment had been attained. FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, met with the victorious team to congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.

“You inspire us all – thank you. I am just so proud of you, Team FNU Law,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.

FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Nabobo-Baba extended commendation to the team for their exceptional achievement.

FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba talking to the CBHTS Department of Law academic staff and students.

Under the guidance of Head of School Law Ana Rokomokoti and Assistant Lecturer Milika Ligabalavu, the moot team, comprising Talei Karavaki, Arnold Chanel, and Peter Racolo, demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills. The diligent research efforts of Timoci Mocebalavu, Setaita Taikveikata, Fane Draunibaka, and Kushal Sharma further augmented their success.

“This, perhaps, is one of the highlights of this year. If we don’t get it understood, then it’s a little problem for the university because it’s something that everybody should know. You cannot beat USP, you cannot, but you did,” Professor Nabobo-Baba addressed the team.

“They are 60 years old. We are about 14 years old, and the school is three years old. We have left a strong statement that the national university is going to grow and do that strong.

“The FNU’s victory at the 2024 tertiary moot competition is not only a source of inspiration to your students, but it’s also a testament that at the university, we have come a long way.”

FNU’s Head of School Law for the College of Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Studies, Ana Rokomokoti, expressed immense pride in the students’ exceptional achievement.

“The team’s dedication was evident in their performance. They competed fiercely, expanded their knowledge, forged valuable connections, and celebrated their accomplishments,” Rokomokoti said.

“The final round was adjudicated by a panel of three esteemed High Court judges. The rigorous nature of the competition and the unanimous decision in our favour underscores the significance of this victory. Such outcomes, determined by a panel of such high calibre, are truly exceptional.”

“Their success is a testament to the calibre of our students and brings great honour to FNU. My sincere gratitude to the University of the South Pacific Law Students Association Education Committee for organising this competition and providing FNU law students with the necessary platform to showcase our abilities and potential.  Credit also goes to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) for providing sponsorship for this event.”

Talei Karavaki.

Team Member Talei Karavaki said the entire bench on both days consisted of experts in the competition, but the teamwork prevailed.

“Their line of questioning during the match and comments afterwards gave us an advantage. We took on whatever they threw at us, made notes, and used this information to prepare for the next match,” Karavaki said.

“The Vice-Chancellor briefly spoke about how unexpected it may have seemed for us to have beaten USP, considering we are the youngest of all the universities here in Fiji that offer Law. It did not shake us as we had God on our side and just sheer determination.

Fane Draunibaka.

Another team member, Fane Draunibaka, thanked the FNU for believing in him and giving him an opportunity to make FNU proud.

“It was a great experience because we jumped into a new area of law compared to competition law, and it was worthwhile. We went in as the underdogs of the competition. The only thing we had was our humility. The only thing we had was our values. It was our humility and our unity that assisted us to win,” Mocebalavu said.

The team was accorded an official congratulatory ceremony by the University’s Senior Leadership Team and the winners were honoured with the traditional salusalu from the chiefly island of Bau. A dinner by the Vice-Chancellor is also planned to recognise the excellent achievement.