Chanel Chauvet, a member of the University of Georgia School of Law Class of 2018, Dean Rusk International Law Center Student Ambassador, and outgoing President of the International Law Students Association, reflects on the 2018 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., below (cross-posted from her website).

Congratulations to the team pictured above, from the University of Queensland, Australia, for winning the 2018 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition!  This is the third time the University of Queensland has won the international competition. National Law School of India University (NLSIU) followed in second place. Program listed here.

Notably, Isha Jain of NLSIU received the best oralist award (pictured second from left).

The 2017-2018 season marked the 59th year of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Jessup is the world’s largest and most prestigious moot court competition, with participants from over 645 law schools in 95 countries. One team is allowed to participate from every eligible school. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations.

This year’s Jessup problem involved interpretation of a fictional bilateral treaty and raised legal questions about the meaning and application of customary international law, the law of the sea and use of force. Teams prepared oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.

There were also ample opportunities for the students to interact with each other during various Jessup events, including the National Dress Ball, Announcement parties, and the Closing Gala (see pictures below). Students also took time in between rounds to explore the District of Columbia, including Capitol Hill, which was a short walk away from the venue.

For me (at right), it was a privilege and an honor to serve as Student President during the competition, alongside the International Law Student Association and its many volunteers. It was a great opportunity to support the organization in its work in administering this prestigious competition and creating a collegiate environment in which the students thrived. I was also thrilled to see the students who traveled from across the world to compete for the trophy, but perhaps gained something equally as valuable – life-long international friends and colleagues!