2016 Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition

Abstract

One of the most famous and the largest “moot” competition in the world is the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Every year, students from more than 700 universities in almost 90 countries all over the world participate in the contest. The competition is a simulation of a hypothetical dispute between two fictional states before the International Court of Justice (hereinafter: ICJ). It requires the teams to prepare memoranda (written part) and then to take part in mock court proceedings (oral part) before a panel of three judges chosen from among international advocates, professors, members of doctrine or actual judges. Each team comprises of two to five members arguing for both the applicant and the respondent in the case. The competition is conducted in English, so fluent knowledge of that language is essential. Most countries hold regional rounds to select the best team, which then represents it at the World Finals in Washington D.C. The Polish national rounds of the 57th edition took place on 10–12 February 2016 at the Supreme Court in Warsaw. The University of Silesia also participated in the contest, with a team made up of five ambitious and determined students: Dominika Iwan, Anna Muś, Kamil Plewnia, Aneta Chorągwicka and Magdalena Serocka, who prepared themselves under the supervision of Dr Ilona Topa.