Applications for the Jessup International Law Mooting Competition 2025-2026 are now open!

 

Are you passionate about international law and looking for a rewarding academic challenge in your final year?

Applications are now open to join the team representing the University of Sheffield at the 67th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in 2025-2026.

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 has now officially begun with the release of this year's Jessup Competition Problem (the ‘Compromis’). 

The Compromis is a compilation of agreed upon facts about the dispute that will form the basis of the competition.

This year's problem titled 'The Case Concerning the Gordian Gorge' (see the fantastic new poster for the case at the end of this message!) includes a number of fascinating international law 'classics' including the right of States to intervene in proceedings before the ICJ, the identification of general principles of international law, treaty interpretation, and the scope of State immunities, as well special issues such as the rights of indigenous people and cultural rights.

Participation in the competition has 3 key steps: written submissions (due 12 January 2026); participation in the UK Qualifying Rounds in London (26 February-1 March 2026); and participation in the White & Case International Rounds in Washington, DC (28 March-4 April 2026). 

Usually 2 or 3 teams 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 in their final year of studies. 

Preference will be given to students that have previously participated in LAW215/347 Foundations of International Law, LAW333 Advanced Issues in International Law, or equivalent modules during their year abroad or prior degree. However, students on their final year that will be enrolled in the Foundations module in this upcoming semester and have a strong interest in international law are welcome to apply. 

Applications must be submitted through this google form by Thursday, 3 October, 11:00 am, and require a short CV and motivation letter. 

If you have already submitted an expression of interest form for the Jessup earlier in the year you should still submit an application to confirm your interest but you do not need to re-write the motivation and experience sections, unless you want to add new information. 

All applicants will be invited to an interview on Friday 4 October at Bartolome House. 

In this interview we will discuss your motivation to participate and your initial thoughts on the issues discussed in this year's Compromis so please make sure to read it carefully. 

The final composition of the team will be announced shortly thereafter.

Students that are selected for the Jessup team will need to select module SLW315 Special Project: International Mooting I (formerly LAW3044). 

This will allow them to prepare for the competition as part of their academic schedule and not as an extra-curricular activity until the deadline for written submissions. 

Please note that the work required to prepare for the oral rounds in London will largely take place in January and February and will be on top of your regular academic commitments! 

So you will be signing up for a lot of extra work (that will, nonetheless, be extremely rewarding!). 

Assessments for this module are based on students’ work for the competition. 

The SEO team will provide guidance on how to drop another module to add this into your class schedule if selected.

You can find attached the slides from the Jessup Information Session that took place earlier in Spring. 

The slides include information on team structure, expectations and workload, aims, and intended outcomes. 

If you have any queries, please feel free to reach out to the Academic Advisor of the competition and convenor of the Mooting Module, Dr Anna Ventouratou, at a.ventouratou@sheffield.ac.uk.