UofG team success at Jessup Moot International Rounds in DC

Between 29 March and 6 April, the University of Glasgow team, comprising Katie Bourner, Laia Harman, Jodie Hofford, Amelia Lockhart-Hourigan and Elisa Pulzoni, ranked 31st in the International Rounds of the Jessup Moot Court Competition in Washington DC. 

This year was the largest incarnation of the Jessup, which is the largest international law mooting competition in the world, with over 800 teams competing from around 100 countries. To reach Washington, teams must qualify by competing in national rounds. This year, 162 teams qualified and competed in the International Rounds in Washington. 

Glasgow qualified for Washington by reaching the semi-finals of the UK National Rounds, held at Lincoln’s Inn, London, in late February. This is the third year in a row in which Glasgow has participated in the Jessup, since David Scott re-commenced the Jessup in Glasgow. It is the first year in which Glasgow qualified for the International Rounds, together with teams from Inner Temple, Oxford University, and UCL. 

Glasgow reached the knockout rounds (top 48) of the competition, with a 3-1 record in the preliminary rounds. The team’s sole defeat came against Barcelona (Spanish national champions), who were coached by a Glasgow graduate, Melissa Bell Romero. Inner temple were the other UK team to reach the knockout rounds. In the round of 48, Glasgow lost a very close match against the University of Vienna. 

In both London and Washington DC, the team scored extremely well as speakers. In London, Elisa Pulzoni ranked 2nd overall, and Laia Harman and Amelia Lockhart-Hourigan ranked 3rd and 14th, respectively, on raw scores. In Washington DC, Glasgow had two speakers – Katie Bourner and Jodie Hofford – in the top 10% of speakers. 

Jodie Hofford was awarded the Ved P. Nanda Award for ranking 2nd overall out of over 500 speakers in the International Rounds. 

The team and coaches (Matina Papadaki, Joséphine Sangaré, Joseph Crampin and James Devaney) have worked with an incredible intensity over the last 6 months. The team has also been very generously supported by the School of Law, alumni and others in terms of funding, guest judging, and moral support.

Photo (left to right): Jodie Hofford, Amelia Lockhart-Hourigan, Elisa Pulzoni, Katie Bourner, Laia Harman)