Hong Kong, 30 March 2026: Colin Cohen has praised the standard of emerging legal talent across Asia Pacific after serving as a judge in the 24th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot. Some 22 law student teams from across the region took part in the annual competition in Hong Kong.
“The standard of mooting was extremely high with the teams displaying impressive advocacy skills and sound strategy in presenting their cases,” says Colin, Senior Partner of BC&C. “This excellent competition continues to promote the core values of international humanitarian law among a new generation of legal scholars and practitioners. It remains an honour for me to be invited to participate.”
The moot saw teams take turns to act as counsel for the prosecution and defence before a simulated International Criminal Court, presenting arguments in a hypothetical case. This year’s moot problem addressed a topic of growing concern within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, namely armed conflict triggered by resource disputes between two nations.
The case involved military tactics employed by one side’s leader, including forced conscription, intentional starvation and the use of explosive weapons without adequately distinguishing between civilians and combatants. Participants grappled with complex questions of accountability under international humanitarian law.
After four days of intense competition, Handong International Law School from South Korea were crowned champions with team member Dong Hyun Lee also being named best mooter. Judges in the final round were led by the Honourable Madam Justice Carlye Chu, Vice President of Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal.
Aside from the moot, a series of concurrent events included a seminar on humanitarian law and the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts, plus a tour of the Hong Kong Red Cross headquarters in West Kowloon.
