The Third Annual Cambodia Mock Trial Competition was co-hosted by Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC) and Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) with technical and financial support from East-West Management Institute (EWMI), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and American Bar Association (ABA). This year the competition was from 27-29 May 2009 and was participated by 7 universities including PUC, RULE, NORTON, University of Cambodia (UC), Cambodian Mekong University (CMU), Build Bright University (BBU), Cambodia University of Specialties (CUS). The first two rounds, preliminary and semi-final round were conducted at PUC in Srey Dim Conference Hall (Courtroom A) and Lecture Hall B (Courtroom B) from May 27, 2009 to Morning of May 29, 2009 (8:30AM-11AM). The final was hosted by RULE on May 29, 2009 from 1:00pm.

Each university has one team to compete but RULE has two teams. So there are 8 teams participated in the competition. In preliminary round, each team has to perform the role of both plaintiff and defendant in front of 2 panels consisting of 3 judges in each panel. Team PUC played role as defendant when PUC was matched with BBU and Team PUC played role as plaintiff when PUC was matched with RULE 2. After this round, PUC was ranked 1^st among 4 teams that are qualified for the semi-final round. In the semi-final round, team PUC beat Norton to further advance to final round and eventually beat RULE 1 to become the champion two times in a row.

Like last year competition, the final was very excited. PUC Law students’ skills in direct examination, cross examination, and using exhibit stood out and that’s why PUC laws student are yet champions.