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ABOUT
CHARACTERISTICS
  • WTO DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM

     

     

    The Competition is a simulated hearing of the WTO dispute settlement system. The teams prepare and analyse a fictive case and present their arguments both for the Complainant and the Respondent in front of a Panel which consists of WTO and trade law experts.

  • FOR STUDENTS

     

     

    Teams consisting of 2 – 4 law students are eligible to participate.

  • AIM

     

     

    The aim is to enhance knowledge of international trade law and WTO dispute settlement procedures as well as to enhance the capacity for meaningful engagement in multilateral trade in the long term.

PROCEDURAL STEPS
  • WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS

     

    The teams prepare written submissions for the complainant and respondent of a fictitious case written by a WTO professional.

  • REGIONAL ROUNDS

    Regional Rounds are usually composed of 6 elimination rounds. They are taking place all over the world: an All-American Round, two Asia-Pacific Rounds, two European Rounds and an African Round.

  • FINAL ORAL ROUND

     

    The best teams from all over the world will be qualified to participate in the Final Oral Round, which takes place in Geneva, Switzerland.

SCOPE
  • INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

     

    Participants have the opportunity to make contacts with people from all around the world. The Competition is global and the participants usually come from more than 35 different countries.

  • NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

     

    The competition provides you with a unique chance to meet face to face top trade law experts and WTO professionals.

  • LANGUAGE

     

    The Competition is held entirely in English.

ACADEMIC VALUE
  • SKILLS TRAINING

     

    Participating in the competition will provide you with professional experience already during your studies. This is of extreme importance upon entering professional life. Participants have a higher chance to become leading trade lawyers than their peers.

  • FUTURE CAREER

     

    This competition opens doors to a future career in trade law. Our sponsors are among the top law firms in the world.

  • WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

    The competition receives technical support from the WTO. 

HISTORY

The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition (formerly the ELSA Moot Court Competition) was first organised in 2002 and consisted of a Written Round, 5 National Rounds and a Final Oral Round in Geneva.

Since then, the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition has grown immensly. Recently celebrating 20 years, the competition welcomes hundreds of participants from all over the world to participate in a Written Round and one out of six Regional Rounds to compete for a spot in the Final Oral Round which takes place at the World Trade Organization in Geneva every year.

  • FORMER EDITIONS

    Find out more about the previous editions, including previous cases, bench memorandums and best written submissions.

  • 15 YEARS OF THE ELSA MOOT COURT

    Read 15 Years of ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO Law and learn more about the history of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition.