The Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is one of the most renowned moot competitions, dedicated to international commercial arbitration and cross-border litigation, drawing lawstudents from more than 300 law schools from around the world every year. The competition is judged by some of the world’s preeminent arbitrators, litigators, judges, and international law scholars.

The competition is a simulation of a fictitious dispute over a sale of goods between companies in two imaginary countries. The applicable law will include law governing international arbitration, as well as the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (“CISG”).

Teams prepare written and oral pleadings arguing both the Claimant and Respondent positions.

USEK Faculty of Law team consists of six participants, four of whom are oralists and two of whom are "of counsel"; the latter’s objective is to help with research and written submissions (Memoranda). The "of counsel" is also a backup oralist at the competition.

Serving on the team is a two-semester commitment, beginning in the fall semester.

Coach / Faculty Contact:
Mrs. Myriam Eid
myriameid@usek.edu.lb

Prerequisites:
Successful completion of the International Arbitration Course

Selection:
Tryouts for the team are held in summer, usually around end of August-beginning of September, and are open to students in good standing in their third or fourth year of law studies.

Candidates should satisfy the following prerequisites:

• Be fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Be used to public speaking
• Have good research skills and sense of legal analysis
• Have a high sense of discipline and dedication

Competition Timeline (25th Edition of the Vis Moot):
(Check the competition website for exact dates.)

• Problem released: 6 October 2017
• Deadline for submission of Claimant’s Memorandum: 7 December 2017
• Deadline for submission of Respondent’s Memorandum: 18 January 2018
• International Rounds: 23 till 29 March 2018

Academic credit:
Five credits units (three credits in the fall semester; two credits in the spring semester)

Meetings:
Team members meet with their professor at least twice a week, but will be expected to meet additional times, including weekends, on an as-needed basis. Meetings will involve a combination of instruction, discussion, and practice.

Expenses:
USEK Faculty of Law pays reasonable travel expenses for participants to attend the international round of the competition in Vienna and at least one prior Pre-moot Round.


24th Annual Vis Moot - 7-14 April, 2017, Vienna
Preceded by the Permanent Court of Arbitration Premoot, 3-4 April, 2017, The Hague
Team Members: George El Khoury, Michel Mansour, Adel Bou Younes, Nathalie Matta, Joyce Abi Abboud and Joan Samaha.

25th Annual Vis Moot – 23-29 March, 2018, Vienna
Upcoming event.