In the midst of an epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (S.A.R.S.), the 2003 Asia Pacific Regional Rounds were nevertheless the largest one to date, with 13 teams from Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand. The competition was held in Sydney from 6-10 May 2003.

The competition was held in conjunction with the I.I.S.L. Space Law Symposium on Tuesday 6 May 2003, with speakers from Australia, Hong Kong and Korea addressing issues relevant to the evolving nature of international and domestic space law.

In the preliminary rounds, held at the offices of Hunt & Hunt and Deacons, a total of 42 sessions were held to complete the preliminary rounds and determine the 6 finalists. The top 2 teams, the University of Western Sydney and the University of Auckland, advanced directly to the semi-finals. In the quarter-finals, the National University of Singapore and the University of Sydney defeated the University of Technology, Sydney and the University of Queensland respectively.

In the semi-finals, the University of Auckland defeated the National University of Singapore and the University of Sydney defeated the University of Western Sydney in close contests.

The 2003 regional final was held in the Banco Court of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The University of Auckland emerged undefeated through the regional round and continued its unbeaten winning streak through the world finals, capturing the Manfred Lachs Trophy in October in Bremen, Germany.

Winner:
University of Auckland (New Zealand)
Mr. Jesse Wilson and Mr. Isaac Hikaka

Runner-Up:
University of Sydney
Mr. Gareth Tilley and Ms. Caroline Spruce

Best Memorials:
University of Western Sydney (Australia)

Best Oralist (Final Rounds):
Mr. Jesse Wilson
University of Auckland (New Zealand)

Best Oralist (Preliminary Rounds):
Mr. Jesse Wilson
University of Auckland (New Zealand)

Final Judges:
Prof. David Flint AM
Mr. Ian Awford
Ms. Margaret Brewster

Sponsors:
National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)
Hunt & Hunt
Deacons
Australian Communications Authority
Australian Broadcasting Authority
University of Western Sydney
Minter Ellison
International Law Association (Australian Branch)

Participating Teams:
China University of Political Sciences and Law (China)
Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
National University of Singapore
Sophia University (Japan)
Tsinghua University (China)
University of Auckland (New Zealand)
University of Malaya (Malaysia)
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of Queensland (Australia)
University of Sydney (Australia)
University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
University of Tokyo (Japan)
University of Western Sydney (Australia)