The Center for Children's Rights and the Moot Court Honors Board Present The 14th Annual National Juvenile Law Moot Court Competition

Whittier Law School and the Center for Children's Rights are proud to announce the 14th Annual National Juvenile Law Moot Court Competition. Over the past decade, participants have tackled controversial questions relating to child abuse, paternity, siblings rights, in vitro fertilization, and the institutionalization of minors. The event remains a national competition dedicated exclusively to issues confronting families and children.

This year's problem presents the case of Placer v. Disciples of Divine Design. When Monica Placer arrived home from caring for her ailing mother in Arizona, she found that her eighteen month old son, Stephen, had passed away. Stephen’s death occurred while he was under the care of members of her husband’s church - a religious denomination that does not believe in the administration of medical care. Upon learning of her son’s death, Monica Placer filed suit against Disciples of Divine Design and her son’s caretaker. The defendants moved for summary judgment, and such judgment was granted based on the plaintiff’s inability to establish a prima facie case for wrongful death and the defendants’ Constitutional right to freedom of religion. It is from this judgment that Placer appeals.

The 14th Annual Whittier Law School National Juvenile Law Moot Court Competition will be held on Friday, February 6, 2009 and Saturday, February 7, 2009.

For details regarding the competition, please visit the competition website at:

www.WLS-Juvi.com

Competition Awards

$2,000 in Academic Scholarships will be awarded.

Additionally, the winning brief will be published in the Whittier Journal of Child and Family Advocacy.

Registration Information

Registration forms: Forms will be mailed out early September 2008. To receive a form, please send an email to administrator@wls-juvi.com or download the form here as a PDF.

Please make sure to mark your calendar now and save these dates:

Early Registration Postmark Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2008

Early Registration Fee: $425 per two-person team (Maximum of two teams per school).

Final Registration Deadline: Monday, November 10, 2008
Standard Registration Fee $475 per two-person team (Maximum of two teams per school).

Problem Released: Monday, November 17, 2008

Briefs Due: Friday, January 9, 2009

For additional information, contact the Moot Court Honors board at (714) 444-4141, ext. 420 or administrator@wls-juvi.com

Please note: Participation is limited to ABA Accredited Schools.