The final two contestants gave very different answers to the hypothetical question presented to local law students taking part in the third Attorney-General's Cup moot competition held on Friday night at the National University of Singapore Moot Court.

The question: Should a foreigner who is overseas and publishes a blog entry that disrupts religious harmony in Singapore be prosecuted and sent to jail?

The competition, which started in July, saw two finalists battle it out after 16 initially competed in a series of one-on-one face-offs.

One of the finalist, third-year NUS student, Sim Beng Wen, 23, argued that the High Court had no jurisdiction over the foreigner and that he had only been airing his religious beliefs.

He said: "Even if he is tried and convicted, a fine and not a jail term would be appropriate because of his low moral culpability."

He received $500 and came in second place for his freedom of speech argument.

The other finalist, second-year Singapore Management university student, [quip float="pqright"]Liu Xuanyi, 23, called for jail and tried making the case that the Internet postings were aimed at Singaporeans and therefore came under this country's jurisdiction[/quip].

Her oral submission was presented to a panel comprising Attorney-General Steven Chong, Judge of Appeal Chao Hick Tin and Justice Quentin Loh.

She won top prize and $1,000.

The competition was first held in 2011. It was the brain child of law professor and former Attorney-General Walter Woon.

Moots are simulations of real-life cases where participants present oral arguments to a hypothetical court, and written arguments are also submitted.

Top photo from here.

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