Siberian Federal University

National Law Moot Court Competition named after Philip C. Jessup was held on the 4-8th of February, 2009 in Moscow. The team of SibFU students took part in the Competition.

Students of Siberian Federal University sailed through the most difficult stages of the Competition. The stages were as follows: writing of memorandum which establishes claim of State-Applicant and State-Respondent and presentation of one’s legal views for four judicial divisions from three courts. Furthermore, the team of SibFU students showed a good command of English, enviable patience and great will to win.

This year, teams from 45 Russian universities participated in the Russian stage of the Competition. Seven Russian teams will represent our country at the International Rounds of the Jessup competition-2009 in Washington D.C. Five teams which got top places will compete for the ultimate Jessup prize—the Shearman & Sterling Cup and two teams are invited by Russian and International Administration of the Competition to take part in the showcase rounds of the International Competition.

Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition was established in 1959 as the international law competition which is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice. Nowadays, the Jessup competition is the largest and most prestigious moot competition for law students. Annually participants from over 500-600 law schools in more than 90 countries take part in the Competition. This year, the Jessup competition is holding the 50th anniversary.

Owing to participation in the Jessup competition-2009 in Russia, students of Siberian Federal University were able to plunge into the atmosphere of real legalistic work for several months and have an extraordinary grasp of international case law and oral presentations in the English language.