Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
Application
Application phase open for 2026/2027!
Are you interested in international law, international cooperation and rhetoric? Then become part of the Viadrina Jessup team!
Your application should include:
- Letter of motivation (in English, max. 2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form
- Certificates
- If applicable, language certificates and internship certificates
Prerequisites for participation
- Students aiming for the first law examination (recommended from the 3rd semester)
- Erasmus and LLM students
- Good knowledge of English required
Application by 17 July 2026!
Contact: jessup@europa-uni.de
About the Jessup Moot Court
About the Jessup Moot Court
The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the largest and most prestigious moot court in public international law worldwide.
Founded in 1959 by students from Harvard, Columbia and the University of Virginia, the competition is organized annually by the International Law Students Association (ILSA).
Today, over 500 universities from more than 100 countries participate each year.
Participants simulate proceedings before the International Court of justice (ICJ) in English, representing both applicant and respondent states.
How the competition works
Each university is represented by a team of 2-5 students supported by coaches.
The competition consists in two phases.
Written phase
Teams prepare memorials for both sides of a fictional case addressing current and classical issues of public international law.
Oral phase
Teams present pleadings before judges and respond to questions
Timeline
- September: Case is released
- September – January: drafting of written submissions
- February/March: National rounds in Germany (approx. 25 universities)
- March/April: International rounds in Washington, D.C.
Why participate?
Participating in the Jessup is a major step toward an international legal career.
Key benefits:
- Expertise in public international law: gain in-depth knowledge through intensive work on complex legal issues
- Career opportunities: former participants work as diplomats, lawyers in international firms, international organizations, academia
- Language skills: all work is conducted in English
- Advocacy and rhetoric training: develop public speaking, argumentation skills, spontaneity and confidence
Academic recognition:
Additional qualification or key qualifications (4 SWS)
Coaching and support:
The Viadrina team is supported by coaches and faculty
Topics from previous years
Examples of issues addressed in past competitions:
2026: Intervention before the ICJ, indigenous rights over natural resources, general principles of law, state immunity
2025: Competing governments, immunity of officials, maritime zones, treaty interpretation
2024: Statelessness, political expression, UN Security Council powers
2023–2016: Cyber operations, environmental law, armed conflict, surveillance, diplomatic immunity …
The Viadrina teams
Head Coach:
Ines Frikech Laraki
Student coaches:
Denise Koecke, Versha Bajad
Participants:
Rohan Vashisht, Jakob Wagner, Christoph Wiedemann
Experience reports
Read reports from previous years and discover what it means to be part of the Viadrina Jessup Family
Contact and further links
Head Coach: Ines Frikech Laraki
- Chair of Public Law, International and European Law
- jessup@europa-uni.de
Instagram: @intlaw_viadrina