The Windmills In His Mind: Moot Court Proceeding Examines Don Quixote's Competency

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg presided (as Chief Justice) over the Supreme Court of La Mancha in a moot court proceeding at the Shakespeare Theatre Company on May 11. Other justices and judges involved included Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, Chief Judge Merrick Garland and Judge Patricia Millett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court of Appeals. Thomas Goldstein (Goldstein Russell) represented Don Quixote; Carter Phillips (Sidley Austin) argued for the interests of the Family Court of La Mancha and Don Quixote's niece Antonia, who wished to be named his guardian.

The parties advocated for and against the competency of one Don Quixote de la Mancha. The issue: is he so out of touch with reality that he needs a court-appointed guardian? Justice Ginsburg ultimately decided "no," because dreamers like him allow civilization to progress. Prior moot courts put on by the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Bard Association have included events inspired by Shakespeare's Henry V and Measure for Measure, and Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband. More here.

More about May 11th's event here from Tony Mauro at the Blog of Legal Times.