Competitions
National Competitions:
Jessup International Law Competition
About the Competition:
UW Law sends a five-member team to the Jessup International Moot Court Competition, the world’s
largest advocacy competition, with over 500 participating law schools from 80 countries.
The competition involves a mock case in front of the International Court of Justice relating to issues such as human rights, the law of war and asylum law.
The Compromis is the springboard for the competition. Written by leading scholars of international law, the Compromis is a compilation of agreed upon facts about the dispute that is submitted for adjudication to the ICJ, the primary judicial organ of the United Nations.
After the Compromis is released, students begin researching and preparing arguments for both sides of the dispute, drafting and editing written pleadings, called "Memorials," and practicing oral presentations in front of a panel of judges/coaches drawn from the law school faculty and the local legal community.
Each team prepares two written Memorials and two 45-minute oral presentations, one for each party to the dispute. Teams argue alternately as Applicant and Respondent against competing teams before a panel of judges, simulating a proceeding before the ICJ.
The Regional rounds are typically held in Portland in February, while the International rounds are in Washington, D.C. The International Finals are often judged by former international law judges, including past members of the ICJ.
The 2010-2011 Jessup Team was comprised of: 3Ls Alicia Neubig, Brandon Young and Aura Weinbaum (of counsel) and 2Ls Mallory Allen and Raam Wong. This year at Regionals, the team made it to the semifinals and came in third place overall.
How to Join the Team:
- Tryouts for two new oralists will take place in May 2011
- Applications are now being accepted for the of counsel/research assistant position. The of counsel will assist in research for the briefs, help to prepare for oral rounds and likely join the oralists at the counsel’s table during the regional competition in Portland and possibly the international rounds in Washington, D.C.
For More Information:
- Raam Wong,
- Mallory Allen,
COMPETITION WEBSITE: www.ilsa.org/jessup/