Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot

Participating in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna has already become a tradition for our students. The competition is one of the most prestigious in the world, and there are more than 300 universities from all over the world participating in this unique event.

It is no secret that teams prepare for this event for several months and also take part in different pre-moots all across Europe. Their effort is repaid not only with the possibility to get one of the awards in Vienna but also with the enormous gained amount of experience and knowledge.

Participants are given a practical problem and need to write two memorandums – one for the claimant and one for the respondent. They need to master the chosen rules (for example VIAC Rules, ICC Rules, CAM-CCBC Rules, UNCITRAL and of course CISG and UNIDROIT) and use them appropriately. After submitting the written memorandums, students also need to participate in the oral part of the competition and present the claimant’s and the respondent’s arguments in front of an arbitral tribunal made up of judges, professors, lawyers, etc.. These oral presentations give participants a chance to truly try themselves and see how well they do when challenged by law students from other countries.

Indeed, to properly prepare for the competition, the student participants need some help. They are guided by their coaches, composed of faculty’s assistants and professors and also students that have already competed and experienced the competition for themselves. The coaches try to help the participants by giving them useful tips, regularly checking their work and training them for the oral part of the competition.

Students, eager to compete, are always welcome to sign up for the team. The team is usually picked once a year in May or June.

For more information visit: https://vismoot.pace.edu/.