The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world’s largest moot court competition, with participants from over 550 law schools in more than 80 countries. The Competition is a simulation of a dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations.
What to Expect
The issues are usually based on real world problems. (For example, in 2013 the issues addressed the legal consequences of climate change on statehood, migration, and sovereign lending and debt.) One team is allowed to participate from every eligible school. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.
Gonzaga selects its four-five person team in late spring each year. The team members are required to take International Law either prior to applying for the team or concurrent with being on the team.
The problem is then released in September each year. The team meets on a weekly basis to discuss the issues and to draft both an applicant and respondent “memorial” (brief). The memorials are due in early January.
Once the memorials are submitted, the team meets three times per week for practice rounds in preparation for the regional competition. Regionals are held in late February.
If the team progresses from regionals, the international round is held in April in D.C. each year.
How to Apply
To apply, students must submit a writing sample (a memo or brief from LRW class, or work product) and present a five minute oral argument based on the writing sample. Excellence in legal research and writing is required as well as being able to work in a group.
Each team member will receive two graded credits in the spring.