22

nd

2014-2015 Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot

A M M A N , J O R D A N V I S I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O M M E R C I A L A R B I T R A T I O N T R A I N I N G O C T O B E R 1 4 - 1 6 , 2 0 1 4

Goal of the Vis Moot

• To foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes through its application to a concrete

problem

• to train law leaders of tomorrow in methods of alternative dispute resolution.

• • • •

What is the Vis Moot?

An imagined dispute Based on a contract between two or more parties Arising from a commercial transaction Which is governed by the UN Convention for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), and proceeds according to a selected set of arbitration rules.

What is the Vis Moot?

Two Critical Competition Phases: • • • Phase I: Written Memoranda (Claimant and Respondent) First, Second, and Third Place Awards, along with honorable mentions • • Phase II: Oral Arguments (in Vienna, Austria, or Hong Kong) First, Second, and Third Place Awards for Team Arguments, along with honorable mentions First, Second, and Third Place Awards for Individual Oralists

What is the Vis Moot?

• • • • Governing Legal Texts: United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) Rules of Arbitration of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC (ICC Rules) UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (Model Law) with the 2006 amendments Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention)

Preparing for the Written Memoranda

• • • • •  Each team will: Produce two 30-35 page memoranda; Collaborate with team members, faculty, and student coaches to discuss the Problem; Research the issues presented in the Problem; Address the issues in the memoranda; Edit the memoranda prior to submission.

Preparing for the Oral Arguments

 Each team will:    Prepare a thirty-minute argument on behalf of their client, divided between the procedural and substantive questions; Practice the argument COMPLETELY as a team 2-3 times a week (the more, the better); Consult with their coaches and Vis Moot alumni on how to improve their presentations;  Participate in a 3-day arbitration training in February, followed by a 2-day pre-moot competition

Vis Moot Calendar Friday, 3 October 2014 Thursday, 23 October 2014 Sunday, 30 November 2014 Thursday, 11 December 2014 Friday, 12 December 2014 Thursday, 22 January 2015 Thursday, 26 March 2015 Friday, 27 March 2015 Saturday-Tuesday, 28-31 March 2015 Tuesday evening-Wednesday-Thursday , 31 March- 2 April, 2015 Thursday, 2 April 2015 Distribution of the Problem Deadline for requests for clarification Closing date for submission of registration form Memorandum for Claimant due Payment of registration fee due Memorandum for Respondent due Moot Alumni Association Welcoming Party Official Welcome and reception General Rounds of argument Elimination Rounds of argument Awards Banquet

What have I gotten myself into??

What YOU get out of it:

 In depth knowledge of international commercial law and arbitration law.

What YOU get out of it:

 Critical skill building in:  International legal research and analysis   Legal writing Written and oral advocacy

What YOU get out of it:

 Teamwork experience

What YOU get out of it:

 Practical legal training

What YOU get out of it:

 An opportunity to connect with people from all over the world and form lasting relationships that carry over into your career

What YOU get out of it:

 And UNFORGETTABLE learning experience.

University/Faculty Support

• • • • • • • • Selection of Vis Moot team faculty advisors and coaches (Professors, teaching assistants, Vis Moot alumni/practitioners) Selection of Vis Moot student team • Minimum of 4 students; both lower level or advanced degrees permitted (no licensed attorneys); English language fluency Registration of team with the Vis Moot before November 30, 2014 Allocation of a work area, access to computers and the internet, access to legal research resources Guidance and assistance throughout the Memoranda writing process – legal research and case analysis, preparation of outline, review of drafts, preparation of bibliography, finalization of Memoranda prior to submission Preparing students for oral arguments; scheduling practice arguments and confirming practice arbitrators Payment of Vis Moot registration fee (700 euros, due December 2014) Cost sharing for travel costs to Vienna for students and coaches