Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
The "Jessup" is the largest and oldest international Moot Court competition in the field of international law. It was founded in 1959 by students of Harvard and, Columbia and the University ofVirginia and has since been organized annually by the International Law Students Association(ILSA). Currently, students from over 500 universities in 100 countries participate each year.
In a mock trial before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the teams represent both the plaintiffs and defendants of an international dispute between two states. In national rounds, the participants enter written memorials compete head to head in an oral national selection -all in English- in order to qualify for the international rounds in Washington DC. There, the best teams from all over the world convene to determine the winner in another round of oral pleadings. The judges in the competition are professors or practitioners in international law; and at the international elimination rounds there are also judges from the ICJ who participate in the proceedings.
In teams of four or five students, the memorials for both sides of the case are developed from September until the deadline in January. Afterwards, the pleadings for the national rounds in February and possibly the international finals in Washington DC in March/ April are rehearsed. The Humboldt University team is supervised by a coach as well as the Chair of Prof. Nolte.
Prerequisites for participating are prior knowledge of or interest in international law, good English skills, delight in debating and commitment.
Besides the acquisition of in depth knowledge of international law as well as rhetorical and linguistic skills, participants at the Jessup Moot Court acquire credit points for EITHER Schwerpunkt 6 (equivalent to four weekly hours of electives) OR the "Professional Orientation I (Key Qualifications)" module OR the "Professional Orientation II (Foreign Legal Language Competence)" module.
Application for Jessup Moot Court 2021/22
Interested in solving an unprecented global crisis instead of exam problems for a change? Join the HU Team competing in the Jessup Moot Court 2020/21!
If you want to be part of a team of students representing a State before the International Court of Justice, gain a memorable experience and become part of the international Jessup community, apply before 20 June 2021! Requirements to apply are interest for and (preferably) knowledge in international law, good English skills, high degree of motivation and readiness to work in a team. Please send your application including a letter of motivation, a CV (both in English), an overview of academic achievements and, if available, certificates of language skills to jessup@humboldt-moot.de. We are happy to help with any inquiries.
There will be an online infoevent here on 7 June 2021 at 6 p.m. (iCalendar file)
We are looking forward to starting the next season with a motivated and dedicated team from HU!
HU-Team erfolgreich beim digitalen Jessup Moot Court 2020/21
v.l.n.r.: Jakob Hach (Coach), Isabel Walther (Coach), Lorenz Böttcher, Franka Layer, Anton Kamke, Franziska Boashie, Gwinyai Machona (Coach), Jan Philipp Cludius (Coach)
Im Corona-Jahr 2020/21 stritten die Teams beim Jessup Moot Court in virtuellen Gerichtsverhandlungen über Schadensersatzansprüche von Staaten für pandemiebedingte Reisebeschränkungen, diplomatisches Asyl für Whistleblower und Flugzeugabschüsse zur Abwehr vermeintlicher Terroranschläge. Im nationalen Wettbewerb, organisiert von der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, erreichte das Team der HU in einem „Berliner Finale” gegen die Hertie School of Governance einen herausragenden zweiten Platz. Alle Teammitglieder erzielten einen Platz unter den Top-15 in der individuellen „oralist”-Wertung. Anschließend traten Teams aus 90 Ländern von Anfang März bis zum 17. April in virtuellen “Global Rounds” gegeneinander an. Dabei setzte sich das HU-Team gegen renommierte Universitäten und Sieger der jeweiligen nationalen Wettbewerbe durch. In den K.O.-Runden schafften es die Teammitglieder unter die besten 32 der 571 teilnehmenden Teams. Franka Layer belegte einen überragenden sechsten Platz unter mehr als 2.000 Teilnehmenden in der „oralist”-Wertung der internationalen Vorrunde.
Das Team und der Lehrstuhl bedanken sich bei allen Unterstützern, dem Rhetorik-Coach John Faulk und den Sponsoren, ohne die dies nicht möglich gewesen wäre:
Jessup Team of Humboldt-University reached round of the best eight teams at the National Rounds of the Jessup Moot Court 2018/19 in Hamburg
f.l.t.r.: Frederik Alexander Dörr, Jan Philipp Cludius (Coach), Paulina Böse, Bing-Yi Shen (Coach), Simon Ruhland, Jasper Kamradt. (© Torben Herber)
This year's competition dealt with demanding issues of public international law, particularly the appropriation of traditional knowledge for commercial purposes, state responsibility for corporate environmental degradation and human rights violations, and majestic herds of migratory yaks.
In the German National Rounds from 20. to 24. February 2018 in Hamburg, the team of Humboldt University was among the best eigth teams and received the award for "Best Respondent Memorial". In the quarterfinals, the team had to give in to the later finalists from Hamburg University after a tight match.
The team and the Chair thank all the supporters and sponsors, in particular rhetoric-coach John Faulk and:
Jessup Team of Humboldt-University reached Quarter-Finals at the National Rounds of the Jessup Moot Court 2017/18 in Kiel
f.l.t.r. Frederika Haug, Louise Majetschak (Coach), Gwinyai Machona, Moritz Hellmann, Julian Craven (Coach), Katharina Drosos
This year's Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition examined thrilling and current issues of public international law, among others, nuclear (dis-)armament, naval warfare, the law of the sea and inter-State arbitration. Around 650 teams from 95 countries including 20 teams from Germany participated worldwide.
The German National Rounds took place from 28 February to 4 March, 2018 in Kiel. Despite strong opponents in the preliminary rounds, the team was able to qualify for the quarter-finals. In a tight match against the soon-to-be German National Champion of the Jessup 2017/18 from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, the team had to admit defeat. At this year's International Rounds, Germany will be represented by the teams from LMU Munich, the Hertie School of Governance (2nd Place) and the University of Passau (3rd Place).
Herr Dr. Wolfgang Spoerr (Hengeler Müller)
Jessup Team of Humboldt University reached Quarter-Finals of International Rounds in Washington, D.C.
From left to right: Louise Majetschak, Lena Riemer (Coach), Moritz Schramm, Isabel Walther, Phillip Schönberger
This year’s Jessup team of Humboldt University Berlin was the first German team to qualify for the Quarter-Finals of the International Rounds in Washington, D.C., which were held from 8 to 16 April at Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. After being very successful on the national level, the team achieved outstanding results also on the international level against 650 teams from 93 countries.
For six days and in numerous pleadings the teams competed for the Jessup-Cup which was ultimately obtained by the University of Sydney. During the exciting Preliminary Rounds, the Humboldt University team faced judges and teams from all over the world, including the author of this year’s Compromis and teams from the United States, Canada, Egypt and Ghana. Having emerged victorious, the Humboldt University team went up to the Advanced Rounds where they beat Hungary (Eötvös Loránd University) in the Round of 32 and New Zealand (Auckland University) in the Octo Finals. In a tight match against the soon-to-be Runner Up Champion of the Jessup 2016/17 from Jamaica (Norman Manley Law School), the team ultimately had to admit defeat in the Quarter-Finals.
In addition to the impressive ranking among the 8 best teams worldwide, the Humboldt University team won 17th Best Memorials and team member Louise Majetschak was awarded 8th Best Oralist in the competition. Also the other team members Isabel Walther, Moritz Schramm and Philipp Schönberger achieved remarkable rankings.
Having worked hard during the past months, the team had the chance to enjoy the unique spirit of the Jessup in Washington, D.C. The program of the International Rounds provided for many events encouraging the friendly exchange between the teams from all over the world. Particular highlights of the program were the “Go-National Dress Ball”, the brunch with the author of this year’s Compromis, the festive Final Gala and a meeting with the former chief prosecutor of the Nuremberg trials Benjamin Ferencz on the occasion of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law.
The team and the Chair of Prof. Nolte thank all their supporters, rhetoric-coach John Faulk and the sponsors, without whom this journey would not have been possible:
Absolventen und Freunde der Juristischen Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Bibliotheksgesellschaft — e. V.
Herr Dr. Wolfgang Spoerr (Hengeler Müller)
Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung
Jones Day
Jessup Team of Humboldt University wins German National Rounds 2016/17, award for the Best Memorial (Runner Up) and Moritz Schramm emerged as Best Oralist in Championship Round
From left to right: Lena Riemer (Coach), Moritz Schramm, Isabel Walther, Phillip Schönberger, Louise Majetschak
The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court 2016/17 examined thrilling and current issues of public international law, among others, the right to water, the return of stolen cultural property and the question: Can States claim compensation for the mass influx of refugees? This year 650 teams participated worldwide, including 20 teams from Germany.
The National Rounds took place from 8 to 12 March 2017 at the University of Passau. After the team of Humboldt University had secured victories in seven rounds of pleadings, it was awarded German National Champion of the Jessup 2016/17. Thereby, the team qualified for the International Rounds in Washington, D.C., which will be held in April 2017. Together with the Humboldt University team, the University of Hamburg (2nd place) and the Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg (3rd place) will represent Germany on the international level.
In addition to winning the desired trophy of German National Champion, the Humboldt University team obtained the award for the Best Memorials (Runner Up) and team member Moritz Schramm emerged as Best Oralist in the Championship Round.
HU-Team wins Best Memorial Award and Runner-Up Best Oralist Award at Jessup Moot Court 2015/16
The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court 2015/16 dealt with exciting and current issues in public international law such as the legality of mass surveillance programs, expropriation of State property used in such programs, as well as state responsibility for cyber attacks.
The team in front of the LMU Law faculty: (from left to right) Julian Craven, Sabrina Schäfer (Coach), Roland Klein, Jana Bade, Lukas Willmer
The German national round took place from 24 to 27 February at Ludwigs-Maximilian-University in Munich. There, despite strong opponents in the preliminary round, the team was not only able to qualify for the quarterfinals – it also won the "Best Memorial Award". In addition, participant Jana Bade won second place in the category of "Best Oralist".
The team and the Chair of Prof. Nolte thank all their supporters, rhetoric-coach John Faulk and the sponsors, without whom this would not have been possible:
HU-Team is German National Champion and achieves 35th Place worldwide at Jessup Moot Court 2014/15
The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court 2014/15 dealt with exciting and current issues in public international law, in particular the interpretation of treaties in the face of changing circumstances, procedural and substantive legal issues surrounding secession of a territory and subsequent annexation by another state as well as proportionality of countermeasures.
This year, the national rounds took place from 4 to 8 March 2015 at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. The Humboldt-University team managed to keep up with, and even exceed, the excellent performances in previous years. After 1998, 1999 und 2003, the team for the fourth time managed to win the desired trophy of German National Champion for Humboldt University's law faculty. Following an impressive preliminary round, in which the team remained unbeaten and the victorious quarterfinals against Jena and semifinals against Hamburg, it was time to face the team of LMU Munich in the final match. In this final, nervewrecking Pleading, the Humboldt University Team was able to convince the prestigous judges once again and won the competition of initially 21 Teams with flying colors. Thus, the Humboldt University qualified – together with the strong teams of LMU Munich (2nd Place) and the University of Hamburg (3rd Place) – for the international rounds in the USA.
At the international rounds in Washington, D.C., the best 120 Teams worldwide came together for six days to compete for the Jessup-Cup. In a thrilling preliminary round with judges from all over the world, including one of the authors of this year's compromis, the Humboldt University Team emerged on top after pleading against teams from the Domenican Republic, Iceland, and Hungary. In a tight match against the soon-to-be Champions of the Jessup 2014/15 from the University of Sydney, the team ultimately had to admit defeat. All in all the Humboldt University team finished in a remarkable 35th place, reaching the best result for Humboldt University in recent years.
In Washington, D.C. the team was not only able to reap the fruits of their hard work in the past months in thrilling pleadings, but the students also experienced the Jessup-spirit, meeting teams from all over the world at events during the Jessup-week including „Go National Ball“, the premier of the Jessup-film "All Rise", Brunch with the Compromis-Authors and the festive closing ceremony.
In the front from left to right: Janina Barkholdt, Sabrina Schäfer; In the back from left to right: Kevin Couvillion, Anna Prymak, Lena Riemer (Coach), Rebecca Lyson, Enis Arkat (Coach)
The team and the Chair of Prof. Nolte thank all their supporters, rhetoric-coach John Faulk and the sponsors, without whom this journey would not have been possible:
Absolventen und Freunde der Juristischen Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Bibliotheksgesellschaft — e. V.
Fachschaftsrat Jura der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung
German Moot Court Society e.V.
Herr Dr. Wolfgang Spoerr (Hengeler Müller)
Humboldt University students successful at the 2013/14 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court
The team of the Humboldt University of Berlin scored a remarkable third place in this year’s German National Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court.
While the team would have qualified last year for the international rounds in Washington DC with this position, only the first and second placed teams - the teams from Heidelberg (1) and Freiburg (2) - qualified this year for the international rounds, due to the lower number of participating teams.
From left to right: Alicia Köppen (Coach), Enis Arkat, Alexander Silke, Lena Riemer, Chi Nam Du, Lisa Brahms (Coach)
The team would like to thank the law firms White & Case, Gleiss Lutz and especially Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for the opportunity, to hold test pleadings before experienced lawyers.
Also, the team and the Chair of Prof. Nolte would like to thank particulary the sponsors for their financial support.
Absolventen und Freunde der
Juristischen Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
— Bibliotheksgesellschaft — e. V.
Unter den Linden 6
10099 Berlin
Fachschaftsrat Jura der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Unter den Linden 11
10117 Berlin
Humboldt University students successful at the 2012/13 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
The team of the Humboldt University of Berlin scored a remarkable second place in this year’s German National Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. It was also awarded the "Best Memorial Award". The team members thereby qualified for the final competition in Washington.
At the International Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup Moort Court Competition the team's memorials scored the eigth place of more than 300 participating teams. In addition, team member Lilly Sellner placed sixth at the evaluation of the oralists.
(In the front from left to right: Alicia Köppen, Edward Martin, Lisa Brahms, at the back from left to right: Johann Leiss (Coach), Simon Herman, Jakob Weberstädt (Coach), Lilly Sellner)
The team and the Chair would like to thank the sponsors for their financial support.
Rechtsanwalt Dr. Dieter Sellner
Meinekestr. 26
10719 Berlin
Absolventen und Freunde der
Juristischen Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
— Bibliotheksgesellschaft — e. V.
Unter den Linden 6
10099 Berlin
