Oxford runner-up at the second LSE-Featherstone Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Moot
The second LSE-Featherstone Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Moot was held at the London School of Economics and Political Science on the 3rd and 4th of March 2017. 38 teams mooted a problem based on LGBT immigration and asylum concerns, modelled on the OO: Gay Men (Algeria) case before the Upper Tribunal.
Mr Matthew Hoser (Harris Manchester), Miss Srishti Suresh (Queen’s), Mr Brogan Pastro (New) and Mr Joseph Bunting (Magdalen), the first Oxford team, progressed as far as the semi-finals, being the only undergraduate team to do so. They faced the second Oxford team in the semi-final, comprised of Mr Tom Lowenthal (Balliol), Miss Elle Tait (Magdalen), and Miss Surabhi Shukla (Oriel).
Mr Tom Lowenthal (Balliol), Miss Elle Tait (Magdalen), and Miss Surabhi Shukla (Oriel) went to the grand final against BPP Law School. The members of the grand final bench included: S Chelvan (No. 5 Chambers), David Bufton (Linklaters), Bojana Asanovic (Lamb Building) and Senior Immigration Judge Judith Gleeson (Upper Tribunal). The Oxford team were the overall runners-up, and Ms Elle Tait won Best Advocate.
A number of ancillary workshops on LGBT topics were ran by prominent experts, including a workshop on Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Religious Freedom after the Asher’s Bakery case, run by Sarah Crowther (Outer Temple Chambers); a workshop on LGBT+ Family Law, Surrogacy, and Legal Parenthood by Dr Bianca Jackson (Coram Chambers), and a workshop on Trans Rights in the UK and the US. There was also a queer and asylum NGO exhibition space, set up by representatives from Stonewall amongst many others.
Proceedings ended with a drinks reception at Garden Court Chambers, where Baroness Featherstone delivered the keynote address, detailing her role in the architecture of equal marriage legislation, and the importance of a legal commitment to equality for all.