Call for applications - Jessup International Law Mooting Competition 2024-2025

In case you missed our Module Choice Event last week, or just need a reminder, we are looking for a team to represent the University of Sheffield at the 66th edition of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in 2024-2025.

Jessup is the world’s largest moot court competition, with participants from roughly 700 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions. It is also the oldest moot court competition dedicated to international law. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.

The competition season officially begins in September, when the Jessup Competition Problem (the ‘Compromis’) is released. The Compromis is a compilation of agreed upon facts about the dispute that will form the basis of the competition. Participation in the competition has 3 key steps: written submissions (due in early January); participation in the UK Qualifying Rounds in London (usually in mid-February); participation in the White & Case International Rounds in Washington, DC (in March or April - usually 2 or 3 team advance to the international rounds from the UK Qualifying Round which is one of the most competitive rounds in the world). Thus, participation in the competition is an (almost) academic-year-long commitment.

Each team consists of 2 to 5 law students. We are inviting applications from UG students and MA students that will be in their final year in 2024-2025. Prior participation in LAW215/347 Foundations of International Law, or LAW333 Advanced Issues in International Law, or equivalent module during your year abroad or prior degree is a prerequisite for your participation in this competition. Applications must be submitted through this google form by May 13, 4pm, and require a short CV and motivation letter. Applicants will be invited to a first meeting on May 16. In this meeting we will discuss early preparation steps for the competition and the selection process for the final team. Students that are currently on their year abroad can join this meeting online.

Students that are selected for the Jessup team will be able to select modules LAW3044 and LAW3112 (Special Project: International Mooting I and II). This will allow them to prepare for the competition as part of their academic schedule and not as an extra-curricular activity. Assessments for these modules will be based on students’ work for the competition. 

You can find below the slides from the Jessup Information Session that took place last week in the context of the Module Choice Event. If you have any queries, please feel free to reach out to the Academic Advisor of the competition and convenor of the Mooting Modules, Dr Anna Ventouratou, at a.ventouratou@sheffield.ac.uk.