Vis Moot – Madrid pre-moot success
The Willem C. Vis Moot is one of the most prestigious international arbitration competitions in the world, attracting hundreds of universities from across the globe. This annual event challenges participants to engage in complex international commercial law problems, requiring teams to draft legal memoranda for both Claimant and Respondent and hone their oral advocacy skills through rigorous practice and competition.
For the past seven months, the University of Glasgow Vis Moot team has been hard at work preparing for this esteemed competition. Under the guidance of their dedicated coaches—Atrin Zolghadr, Jodie Hofford, and Declan Ritchie—the team meticulously researched, drafted, and submitted their legal memoranda for both sides of the case. In addition to their written submissions, the team has been sharpening their oral advocacy skills through internal practice pleadings and external practice moots with other universities, ensuring they were well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
Their hard work and dedication recently paid off at the 10th Madrid Vis Pre-Moot, which took place on 10-12 March, where the University of Glasgow team achieved an outstanding second place finish! The team, comprised of Ryan MacKenzie, Cameron Lambie, Gavin McLean, and William Murray, showcased exceptional talent and determination throughout the competition.
The journey to the finals was no easy feat. The team competed against three other universities in the general rounds before advancing to the knockout stages. They triumphed over Carlos III Madrid in the Quarter-Finals and Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Semi-Finals, ultimately facing the University of Lisbon in the Final. Their performance was nothing short of remarkable, earning praise from renowned lawyers and arbitrators from leading international law firms such as Linklaters, Cuatrecasas, Hogan Lovells, A&O Shearman, and Uria Menendez.
This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work, the unwavering support of their coaches, and the University of Glasgow’s commitment to excellence in legal education which the team hopes to carry into the Vis Moot Final in Vienna later this month!
Special Thanks
The team would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr Obiora Ezike and Dr Joseph Crampin for their invaluable assistance. Their assistance in arbitrating practice pleadings and providing constructive feedback played a crucial role in refining the team’s legal arguments and enhancing their overall performance.
The team is also deeply grateful to the University of Glasgow School of Law for its generous funding, which has made it possible for the team to participate in this incredible experience. This support has been instrumental in allowing the team to compete at such a high level and gain invaluable skills and memories.
