Pre-University Law Conference

2024 Pre-University Law Conference

The inaugural 2024 Law Conference will be held on the 20th of December, from 2 pm - 8 pm, and features panel discussions, law research paper presentations, a moot demonstration, and a networking dinner, among other planned events

The overarching theme for the inaugural Pre-University Law Conference is Medical Negligence.

Medical negligence, a critical issue within the intersection of healthcare and law, has significant implications for patient safety, medical practice, and legal accountability. As advancements in medical technology and treatment protocols evolve, so too does the complexity of understanding and addressing negligence in the healthcare setting. Given Singapore's reputation as both a legal and medical hub, we seek to explore the multifaceted dimensions of medical negligence, fostering a dialogue amongst young legal and healthcare professionals.

Objectives for Participants

Research and Exploration:

• Under the guidance of mentors in both the legal and medical field, participants should be equipped and able to navigate research-intensive tasks, which prepares them for their own independent studies in the future.

Networking:

There will be dedicated networking time for participants to form connections with like-minded individuals.

Understanding the Legal Framework:

• Examine the existing legal standards and frameworks governing medical negligence. Discuss recent case law and legislative changes that impact the interpretation and enforcement of these standards. Key topics that we hope for participants to explore include:

  • Impact on Patient Care: Analyse how allegations of negligence affect patient outcomes, provider behaviour, and healthcare policies. Emphasise the importance of balancing accountability with the need to foster a supportive environment for medical professionals.

  • Emerging Trends: Investigate current trends in medical negligence claims, including the role of telemedicine, the impact of electronic health records, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making.

  • Ethical Considerations: Engage in discussions about the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals and legal practitioners in addressing negligence. Explore the moral dilemmas faced when navigating patient care and legal accountability.

Segments

Mini Moot

Mooting is a simulation of an Appellate Court in its proceedings, created to give law students a taste of advocacy. Participants are given a problem question, which includes a set of agreed facts, along with the decision of the lower trial Court. The Moot Problem will contain contentious legal issues that arise within the facts, and participants will identify them as ‘grounds of appeal’. Participants will be assigned the roles of either Appellant or Respondent and will do their due diligence to prepare skeletal arguments and a research bundle which they have to present in the advocacy rounds.

Essay Competition

Several statutes relate to and govern the medical profession and the practice of it in Singapore. Yet, the law’s understanding of the standards within medicine often seems amalgamated. This event aspires to engage both pre-university students and law undergraduates in challenging their understanding of certain positions in law (e.g. the standard of care necessary by doctors, whether the Courts were right in affirming the tort of genetic affinity). The competition will foster their analytical skills and provide them with mentorship opportunities that will allow them to create that nuance in their understanding.

Essay Competition

• Date of Essay Prompts Release: 4th October

• Submission Deadline: 1st November

• Writing and Refinement: November to mid-December

• Abstract length:

  • 500-800 words for Junior Category

  • 1500 words for Senior Category

• Team Structure: Individual or teams of up to 4 students. There is no restriction on the ratio of pre-university and law undergraduates within the team.

• Mentorship Program: Shortlisted participants will receive mentorship to refine their essays so that they may present at SIMP’s Law Fair.

Essay Competition Finalist Presentations

The competition will culminate in a law conference where selected essays will be presented. This event will provide a platform for students to showcase their work, engage with legal professionals, and gain exposure to current discussions in the field of medical law. The element of audience engagement during the Q&A section will also test the depth of their understanding of the topics.

We believe this essay competition will not only enrich the participants' academic experience but also empower them with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in law. We seek support and collaboration to make this event a success, benefiting both the students and the broader legal community

Essay Questions

Senior Category (2nd to 4th Year Law School)

• To protect the environment, do you think that non-human beings such as animals, rainforests, should be given personhood in order to access rights granted to persons?

• How is the law on informed consent defined in Singapore and do you think our approach is desirable, compared to the position within other common-law jurisdictions?

Junior Category (Pre-University to 1st Year Law School)

• Is the tort of genetic affinity (as identified in the Court of Appeal in ACB v Thomson Medical) a distinct and novel tort, or a reformulation of the “right to parenthood” which already exists within other torts?

• Do you think that the law of qualified privilege as it stands, should be reformed? Make reference to the Court of Appeal decision in Lee Hsien Loong v Roy Ngerng Yi Ling.

Mini Moot

• Moot Problem Release: 15th October 2024

• Registration Deadline: Start of November

• Team Structure: Teams of 2 students

• Competition Structure: Online; In-Person

About

SIMP has been running for 4 years since its inception in 2020. Every year, we garner over 100 participants and 20 student judges from senior law schools to assist us in judging.

The Mini Moot 2024 serves to give pre-university students a chance to interact with legal issues, cases and statutes in a guided setting, enabling them to work on their advocacy skills and get a taste of the law.

For the Law Conference, we are similarly planning a mini-moot with a focus on medical negligence. In particular, the moot will be focusing on the idea of novus actus interveniens, where there is a break in the chain of causation between a doctor's alleged duties, and injury suffered by the patient. Participants will also consider a more thorough extent of the issue through considering possible defences for negligence — namely the defences of contributory negligence and consent.