AUS Moot Court Team represents UAE in international competition

Over the spring break, the AUS Jessup Moot Court Team represented the UAE at the White and Case International Rounds in Washington, DC.

Now in its 54th year, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from over 550 law schools in more than 80 countries. The competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations. One team is allowed to participate from every eligible school. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.

AUS was represented by students Lima Hatim, Kafumu Kalyalya, Hiba Tawfik, Wisam Gingari and Wigdan Abu Shamala, and coached by Dr. Kevin Gray, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Studies.

AUS won three out of its four matches, beating the national teams from Sri Lanka, Macau and Croatia, but losing to the United States. The team was eliminated on the fourth day of competition, finishing in 38th place. The competition was eventually won by National Law University, India.

"The Jessup Competition is the most important global Moot Court competition, with close to 800 scholars participating in national competitions from around the world, all vying for the chance to represent their countries at the international rounds in Washington, DC. AUS won the right to represent the UAE, and finished in 38th place, its best showing ever," said Dr. Gray.

To qualify for the competition in Washington, more than 750 teams from around the world competed first in national rounds. From this, 110 teams were selected to represent their countries at the White and Case International Rounds in Washington.

The team was chaperoned by Dr. Pia-Kristina Anderson and Dr. David Lea, faculty members from the Department of International Studies.