| |
|
|
| In the 10th Edition of the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) moot court competition on WTO law, four students from the Graduate Institute outshined competitors from around the world and secured victory in the competition’s Final Oral Round held in Montpellier, France. |
| |
| The ELSA WTO moot court is a prestigious competition on WTO law which attracts team from well-known universities from around the globe every year. The moot court simulates the WTO’s dispute settlement. In the course of the competition, students draft written submissions that are reviewed by trade law professionals and prepare oral arguments which are subject to live questioning by numerous WTO experts. |
| |
| This year’s IHEID team was represented by Ms. Selina Bruderer, Ms. Liesbeth Casier, Ms. Stephanie Cunningham and Mr. Max Lantz. Since September 2011 the team had worked on a fictitious WTO case which involved import duties on cement and raised difficult issues on the interaction between regional trade agreements and the WTO. |
| |
| After completing their written submissions in January 2012, the team went on to compete in the European Regional Round in Münster in March 2012. There, the team swept the awards coming in first place overall and qualifying for the World Final Round. In addition, Stephanie Cunningham was recognized individually for her exceptional oral skills and was named Best Orator of the Finals. |
| |
| In May 2012 the team then travelled to Montpellier for the Final Oral Round. In the culmination of nine months of work the team was able to impress distinguished academics and practitioners of international trade law with their mastery of the law and outstanding advocacy skills. After edging out competitors from LSE and Harvard Law School in the quarter-final and semi-final rounds, the team faced Ottawa University in the Grand Final. In an intense and high-quality moot session, the IHEID team scored a decisive victory. This marks the first time ever that an IHEID team has won the ELSA WTO Moot Court Grand Final. In addition, the team also took home the prize for the best overall written submission. |
| |
| The team’s victory builds on years of successful participation of the Graduate Institute in the ELSA WTO moot court competition. Year after year, former participants serve as coaches and pass on their knowledge. This year’s team was coached by Mikella Hurley, Farzan Sabet, Luca Pasquet and Wolfgang Alschner. In addition, many other helpers have contributed to the team’s success acting as mock panelists or giving advice on oral presentations. Finally, the team’s participation would not have been possible without the guidance and support from Professor Pauwelyn and the financial and logistical assistance provided by the International Law Department, the Center for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI) and the entire Graduate Institute. |
| |
|
The WTO moot court is a highly rewarding experience. Aside from the competition’s prizes and awards, moot court participants gain an in-depth understanding of international trade law, make invaluable professional contacts with WTO practitioners and hone their legal and oral skills as part of a motivated team. Students interested in participating in one of the moot court competitions during the academic year 2012/2013 are encouraged to write an email to
wolfgang.alschner@graduateinstitute.ch.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
