Moots & Competitions

What Is a Moot Court?

Practising advocacy

A moot court is a simulated court hearing in which law students argue a hypothetical case. Teams submit written memorials for each side and then present oral arguments before judges, who question them. Teams usually have speakers and a researcher, and moots are central to training in legal research and advocacy.

• Written submissions are called memorials.

1960 onwards

Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

The world's largest moot

Named after Philip C. Jessup, a US judge of the International Court of Justice, the Jessup Moot is a simulated dispute between states before the ICJ. Run by the International Law Students Association, it draws teams from hundreds of law schools in about 100 countries, with international rounds held in Washington, D.C.

• Named after ICJ judge Philip C. Jessup.
• A simulated ICJ case.

1994 onwards

Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot

Vienna and Hong Kong

Named after Willem C. Vis, an expert on international sales law, the Vis Moot involves an international commercial arbitration under the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. It is held in Vienna each spring, with a sister competition, the Vis East, in Hong Kong.

• Held in Vienna; Vis East in Hong Kong.

2008 onwards

Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition

Oxford

Run by the University of Oxford's Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy, the Price Moot addresses freedom of expression and media law problems, with final rounds in Oxford.

Stetson International Environmental Moot

Environmental law before the ICJ

Organised by Stetson University College of Law in Florida, the competition presents an international environmental law dispute argued before a simulated ICJ.