The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is the largest and the most prestigious international arbitration competition that has been held annually in Vienna since 1994 and that brings together law students (in teams) from hundreds of universities around the world to engage in a mock arbitration process related to a legal dispute over issues of international commercial law. Pre-Moot is a preparatory stage of the competition that provides students with an opportunity to practice and refine arbitration skills, enhance legal arguments, polish and hone public speaking abilities, exchange experiences, and receive feedback from professionals in this field before the official competitions commence. In 2024, EHU hosted such a preparatory stage for the first time.
EHU Vis Pre-Moot brought together young lawyers from Eastern and Central European countries. Formed in eleven teams, the students represented the following universities: European Humanities University (Lithuania), Vilnius University (Lithuania), University of Latvia (Latvia), University of Warsaw (Poland), SWPS University (Poland), Ivan Franko National University of (Ukraine), National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Ukraine), Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University (Ukraine), Ukrainian Catholic University (Ukraine), Moldova State University (Moldova).
The program comprised 2 structural blocks:
- The first block was the three-party Training Course organized by CLDP: The first part of the Training Course (February 16) was dedicated to the basics of oral advocacy, aimed at sharpening legal arguments and speaking skills. The second and third parts of the Training Course (February 19 and 20) were dedicated to the issues of this year’s Vis Moot case as well as the fundamentals of practical skills necessary for legal professionals.
- The second block was the Pre-Moot training rounds between different teams (February 17 and 18)
As a result, winners of the EHU Vis Pre-Moot were recognized in various categories and awarded certificates:
- Spirit of the Moot – Ukrainian Catholic University
- Best Oralist – Ditė Elzbergaitė (Vilnius University)
- Finalists – National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy
- Winners of the Pre-Moot – University of Warsaw
All 5 days of the EHU Vis Pre-Moot were intense and productive and became good preparation for the teams for the upcoming Vienna Vis Moot, which will take place on March 22-28. The team representing EHU will also go to Vienna and take part in this unique and exciting competition that will enable theoretical and practical knowledge of International Commercial Law and will be a good impetus for future professional career because when hiring, participation in Vis Moot is highly regarded by leading legal and advocacy companies.
Our law students already had a valuable experience of participating in this significant event — experience of international interaction, useful connections, and improvement of knowledge, skills, and practice. It is important and amazing that the Vis Moot is organized in stages that closely mirror real-world legal practice: firstly, drafting memoranda for the claimant and respondent; secondly, presenting arguments at oral hearings conducted before practicing arbitrators, thus recreating the atmosphere of real arbitration proceedings.
Here’s how Ulyana Belaya, a third-year law student and coordinator of the Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, describes her impressions of the Vis Moot, as well as the challenges and benefits from it:
— Last year was my first experience in Vis and I was mainly shocked — in a good way. I was shocked by how much dedication participants and experts have; and how much has Vis changed their lives. Writing the memos was difficult in the sense of understanding the law and the doctrine, and formulating it more legally and professionally. And for the oral hearings that is always about being confident. But I would not lie if I said all the skills in legal writing and oral advocacy I did obtain from the Vis. As well as lots of new acquaintances.
