Jessica Samuel and Oceanique Joseph, law students from Antigua State College, won the 5th annual Fortis Advocatus Moot Court competition, outshining competitors from across the region, including teams from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The event took place at the High Court, where participants showcased their advocacy skills before a panel of distinguished judges.

Samuel was named the best advocate in the final round and thanked their coach, Aquila Southwell, for her support.

The judges—Magistrate Dane Hamilton Jr., Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Shannon Jones-Gittens, and Crown Counsel Rilys Adams—offered constructive feedback, praising the competitors for their professionalism and performance.

Adams particularly admired Samuel’s poise and clarity, while Hamilton emphasized the importance of adaptability in advocacy.

Jones-Gittens lauded the high caliber of presentations, even noting that the competitors seemed more advanced than their sixth-form status suggested.

As champions, Samuel and Joseph were awarded full scholarships by the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Committee to continue their legal studies at the University of the West Indies.

They argued a fictional murder case for the appellants, while their opponents, Emya Geness and Ciecie Lewis, represented the respondents and won the award for Best Written Memorial.

The competition recognized TA Marryshow Community College of Grenada as the best academic institution, and individual awards went to Adia Daniel and Adhara Salfarlie as promising advocates.