Culture Court

That nutty old Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Preservation is sponsoring a moot court competition on national cultural heritage law at DePaul University. The web site reads:

This inaugural competition allows students the opportunity to advocate in the nuanced landscape of cultural heritage law. This dynamic and growing legal field deals with the issues that arise as our society comes to appreciate the important symbolic, historical and emotional role that cultural heritage plays in our lives. It encompasses several disparate areas: protection of archaeological sites; preservation of historic structures and the built environment; preservation of and respect for both the tangible and intangible indigenous cultural heritage; the international market in art works and antiquities; and recovery of stolen art works.

The problem for the inaugural competition will address criminal intent and statutory interpretation under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. All rounds will be held in federal courtrooms in the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse located in downtown Chicago. The judges for the final round will include members of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Registration info is available on their site, or contact chmoot@depaul.edu