Jessup Competitors

Dates & Schedules

This schedule contains the confirmed official dates for the 2021 Jessup Season. View the PDF of the Official Jessup Schedule here.

28 August 2020	RELEASE of Official Jessup Rules (National Rules Supplements will be posted as they become available)
7 September 2020	REGISTRATION OPENS
11 September 2020	ANTICIPATED RELEASE of the Jessup Problem
9 October 2020	ANTICIPATED RELEASE of First Batch of Basic Materials: The Basic Materials are a collection of research materials, designed to ensure that all teams, regardless of budget and access to information, start from the same position. All Basic Materials will be posted to the ILSA’s website.
16 October 2020	DEADLINE for Requests from Teams for Corrections and Clarifications to the Jessup Problem: Requests must be submitted through the online form found on your Team’s Home Page.
9 November 2020	DEADLINE for Second Batch Basic Materials Suggestions: This is the last day to submit suggestions for documents to be included in the Second Batch of Basic Materials. All Basic Materials will be posted to the ILSA’s website.
13 November 2020	DEADLINE for Eligibility Inquiries: This is the last day on which individuals may request the Executive Office’s special permission to compete under Official Rule 2.4.
16 November 2020	ANTICIPATED RELEASE DATE of Corrections and Clarifications to the Jessup Problem.
20 November 2020	ANTICIPATED RELEASE of Second Batch of Basic Materials: The Second Batch of Materials usually includes a variety of treaties, caselaw, and secondary sources.
20 November 2020	DEADLINE for Registration (Online Form and Payment) for all Teams
20 November 2020	DEADLINE for Submission of Team Roster: This is the last day on which teams may submit the names of their team members and advisors.
7 December 2020	ANTICIPATED RELEASE of dates and details of National, Regional, and Friendly Competitions.
6 January 2021	DEADLINE for Submission of Memorials: Memorials must be submitted to the Executive Office in accordance with the Official Rules. A National Supplement to the Official Rules may impose additional submission requirements. It is the responsibility of teams to understand the submission requirements of the Official Rules and of their National Rules Supplement, if any, which are posted on ILSA’s website.
8 January 2021	DISQUALIFICATION DEADLINE for Failure to Submit Memorials: If a Team fails to submit its Applicant and Respondent Memorials by this day, the Team will be disqualified from the Competition. Any Memorial submitted after the 6 January Submission Deadline but prior to the 8 January Disqualification Deadline will be subject to applicable late penalties.
1 February 2021	DEADLINE for Teams to indicate their preferred times and dates for Preliminary and White & Case Advanced Round matches: ILSA will contact Teams after the Memorials deadline, instructing them how to indicate their preferred times and dates for their two Exhibition Round matches, their four Preliminary Round matches, and – in case the Team advances – their four White & Case Advanced Round matches
2 February 2021	MEMORIALS PENALTIES will be distributed to Teams on a rolling basis hereafter (deadlines to submit appeals will be communicated to Teams at the time penalties are sent).
8 February to 8 March 2021	REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND FRIENDLY ROUNDS: Any jurisdictions or administrators that elect to hold in-person or online Regional, National, or Friendly Rounds will schedule them within this four-week window.
9-12 March 2021	EXHIBITION ROUNDS: Each Team will compete once as Applicant and once as Respondent in non-scored Exhibition matches, in order to troubleshoot and gain experience on the online interface.
13 March 2021	OPENING CEREMONY of the 2021 Global Jessup Rounds (to be held online). ILSA will also announce the final pairings and schedule for the Preliminary Rounds at this time.
15-26 March 2021	PRELIMINARY ROUNDS: Each team will compete twice as Applicant and twice as Respondent.
28 March 2021	WHITE & CASE ADVANCED ROUNDS ANNOUNCEMENT EVENT: ILSA will announce the Teams that, based upon their performance in the Preliminary Rounds, will advance to the White & Case Advanced Rounds. ILSA will announce the final pairings and schedule for the White & Case Advanced Rounds the following day.
30 March to 7 April 2021	WHITE & CASE ADVANCED ROUNDS: Each advancing Team will compete twice as Applicant and twice as Respondent.
8 April 2021	ELIMINATION ROUNDS ANNOUNCEMENT EVENT: ILSA will announce the 48 Teams that, based upon their performance in the Preliminary Rounds and the White & Case Advanced Rounds, will advance to the Elimination Rounds. ILSA will also announce the pairings for the Round of 48 at this time.
9-16 April 2021	ELIMINATION ROUNDS: The top 48 Teams will moot against one another in single-elimination knockout rounds, starting with a Round of 48 and ending with Semifinal matches.
17 April 2021	WHITE & CASE JESSUP CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
18 April 2021	2021 CLOSING CEREMONY AND PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Rules

The Jessup 2021 Official Rules are available here.

National Rounds Rules Supplements

The National Rounds Rules Supplements are updated frequently as National Administrators send them to the Executive Office, so please be sure to check back often. These will be updated starting after the Registration Deadline has passed.

Competition Materials

Please find the 2021 Jessup Competition materials below:

• 2021 Jessup Problem
• 2021 Corrections and Clarifications

 

First Batch of Basic Materials

1. Charter of the United Nations
2. Statute of the International Court of Justice
3. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
4. Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
5. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
6. Constitution of the World Health Organization
7. 2005 International Health Regulations
8. Convention on International Civil Aviation
9. ILC, Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts
10. ICJ, Asylum (Colombia v. Peru), Judgement (20 November 1950)
11. ITLOS, Case concerning the detention of three Ukrainian naval vessels (Ukraine v. Russian Federation), Provisional Measures, Order (25 May 2019)
12. WTO, WTO Analytical Index: Guide to WTO Law and Practice, SPS Agreement – Article 2 (Jurisprudence)
13. WTO, WTO Analytical Index: Guide to WTO Law and Practice, SPS Agreement – Article 5 (Jurisprudence)
14. Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 27
15. Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 36
16. UN General Assembly, Question of Diplomatic Asylum: Report of the Secretary-General, UN Doc. A/10139 (September 1975) (Part I) (Part II)
17. Roojin Habibi et al., “Do not violate the International Health Regulations during the COVID-19 outbreak,” The Lancet, Vol. 395, No. 10225 (2020), pp. 664-666
18. Robin Geiß, “Civil Aircraft as Weapons of Large-Scale Destruction,” Michigan Journal of International Law, Vol. 27, No. 1 (2005), pp. 227-256

 

Second Batch of Basic Materials

1. Ali Tejpar & Steven J. Hoffman, “Canada’s Violation of International Law during the 2014–16 Ebola Outbreak,” Canadian Yearbook of International Law, Vol. 54 (2016), pp. 366-383
2. Caroline Foster, “Justified Border Closures do not violate the International Health Regulations 2005”, EJIL: Talk! (11 June 2020)
3. Eileen Denza, “Diplomatic Asylum,” in Andreas Zimmermann (ed.), The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol: A Commentary (2011)
4. England & Wales, Court of Appeal, “B” & Others v. Secretary of State for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Judgment (18 October 2004), [2004] EWCA Civ 1344
5. Christian Tomuschat, “Article 36,” in Andreas Zimmermann et al. (eds.), The Statute of the International Court of Justice: A Commentary (3rd ed. 2019)
6. Stephan Schill & Robyn Briese, “‘If the State Considers’: Self-Judging Clauses in International Dispute Settlement,” Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law, Vol. 13 (2009), pp. 61-140
7. Marko Milanovic, “Mistakes of Fact When Using Lethal Force in International Law: Part I”, EJIL: Talk! (14 January 2020) (Part I) (Part II) (Part III)
8. John V. Augustin, “ICAO and the Use of Force against Civil Aerial Intruders” (August 1998)
9. UN Audiovisual Library

Along with the resources below, additional video resources can be found in the ILSA store and on our Vimeo.

Jessup 2021 Q&A on Facebook Live
This Jessup 2021 Q&A features ILSA Programs Director Tessa Walker and His Honour Judge Andrew Holmes answering your questions.

Find the 2021 Jessup Competition FAQ available as well.

White & Case Jessup Guide
The White & Case Jessup Guide is a student-focused "how-to" manual for the Jessup Competition. The Guide contains information on: working with the Compromis, researching international law, writing Memorials, devising oral pleadings, and using skills learned from the Jessup in your legal career. The guide also contains video clips demonstrating good oral advocacy techniques.

United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law - Jessup Collection
We are pleased to announce a collaboration with the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law (AVL). The AVL is a virtual training and research centre with more than 400 leading international law scholars, judges and practitioners from different States and legal systems who contribute to its three pillars: the Lecture Series, the Historic Archives and the Research Library. Through this collaboration, the AVL has organized relevant lectures and instruments that can be used by Jessup 2020 participants to help prepare for the competition this year.

Jessup Final Round Videos
The Final Round of the International Rounds pits the top two teams in the world against each other after multiple matches in which they have honed their arguments to the most nuanced touch. These rounds are often highly instructive to teams who wish to learn how to best deliver an oral round. ILSA has made all final rounds since 2000 available for both streaming and downloading via Vimeo.com.

Introduction to International Law
This Introduction to International Law is a short document explaining the basic doctrines of international law. ILSA would like to acknowledge and thank Professor Robert Beckman of the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, who provided this document to ILSA for the benefit of Jessup teams and judges. Thanks are also owed to Dagmar Butte, ILSA Board Member, for helping Professor Beckman draft the Introduction.

Tips for Memorial Writing
The 2015 Memorial Writing Tips was created to offer students a roadmap towards writing their two memorials for the Jessup. This guide was written by a celebrated group of longtime Jessup judges, competitors, academics, practitioners, and other dedicated volunteers. We encourage students to read this document for a well-balanced approach to proper memorial writing.

CIICJ Guide to the Jessup
The 2015 CIICJ Guide to the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition was written to offer students a general plan for competing in the Jessup. Published by the Chinese Initiative on International Criminal Justice (CIICJ), the guide was written and edited by a group of former competitors and academics. Among the competitors who contributed to this guide are past National Rounds winners, International Rounds winners, Best Oralist recipients,and Hardy C. Dillard Award recipients. Further contributors include academics, practicing international lawyers, team coaches and advisors, and long-time Friends of the Jessup.

Citation Systems
The Official Jessup Rules require teams to identify their sources in their Memorials (written submissions). The Rules also require teams to use a citation form that provides a description of each authority that is adequate enough to allow a reasonable reader to identify and locate the authority in a publication of general circulation. The ILSA Executive Office recommends the following citation systems:

1. Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation
2. The Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities
3. The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation
4. Introduction to Basic Legal Citation

Jessup Team Registration Fees

Schedule I - $900	USA
Schedule II - $650	Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Schedule III - $450	Bermuda, Bulgaria, Chinese Taipei, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
Schedule IV - $350	Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Panama, Philippines, Trinidad & Tobago, Russia
Schedule V - $250	All Others

ILSA Chapters are free with registration of a Jessup Team. Click here to learn more about ILSA chapters.

National and Friendly Rounds Schedule

2021 Jessup Competition logo

2021 Jessup Competition Poster PDF| JPG

Due to the new format of the 2021 Jessup Competition, the ILSA Executive Office has released a new FAQ document to provide current information regarding the 2021 Jessup Global Rounds.
Last updated May 23, 2020
I. GENERAL INFORMATION II. THE JESSUP COMPETITION AND ILSA III. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION IV: REGISTERING FOR THE JESSUP COMPETITION V. COMPETITION FORMAT VI. PREPARING FOR THE COMPETITION

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

What is the Jessup Competition?

The Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition is an advocacy competition for law students. Teams of law students compete against one another through the presentation of oral and written pleadings to address timely issues of public international law in the context of a hypothetical legal dispute between nations. The Compromis, or Problem, is the springboard for the Jessup Competition. Written by leading scholars of international law, the Problem is a compilation of agreed upon facts about the dispute that is submitted for adjudication to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. After the Problem is released, students begin researching and preparing arguments for both sides of the dispute, drafting and editing written pleadings, called “memorials,” and practicing oral presentations. Each team prepares two written memorials and two 45-minute oral presentations, one for each party to the dispute (the “Applicant” and the “Respondent”). Teams argue alternately as Applicant and Respondent against competing teams before a panel of judges, simulating a proceeding before the International Court of Justice.

How does the Jessup Competition compare to other moot court competitions?

The Jessup Competition is the world’s largest moot court competition. It is also the oldest moot court competition dedicated to international law. The Jessup is noteworthy because it is open to law schools all over the world.

 

Who is Philip C. Jessup?

The Jessup Competition is named after Philip C. Jessup, the United States representative to the International Court of Justice, who was elected by the United Nations to serve a nine-year term in 1961. Judge Jessup had a long and distinguished academic, judicial, and diplomatic career. He practiced law and taught at several American universities until 1961. Jessup was an assistant to Elihu Root during the 1929 Conference of Jurists on the Permanent Court of International Justice. He attended both the Bretton Woods and San Francisco Conferences, and played a key role in the formation of the International Law Commission.

What is the International Court of Justice?

The International Court of Justice, also known as the “ICJ” or “World Court," is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. The ICJ was established under the Charter of the United Nations in 1945 to succeed the Permanent Court of International Justice, or PCIJ. The ICJ adjudicates contentious cases between States and provides advisory opinions to legal questions submitted by authorized organs of the United Nations and specialized agencies. The competence, composition, and functions of the ICJ are governed by the Statute of the International Court of Justice. The Court is composed of 15 judges, each elected by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council to serve a term of nine years. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Place in The Hague, The Netherlands.

When will the Problem be released?

The Problem is released in September every year. The specific release date of the Problem for the current season can be found in the Official Schedule.

When is the deadline for submitting Memorials?

Memorials must be submitted by the memorial submission deadline indicated in the Official Schedule. Memorials must be submitted to the ILSA Executive Office by uploading them through the Team Homepage in accordance with the Official Rules, which are released each August. Additional submission requirements and earlier deadlines may be imposed by a Supplement to the Official Rules. It is the responsibility of teams to know the submission requirements of their Rules Supplement, if any, which are posted on ILSA’s website.

How do I start a new Jessup Team at my school?

Before beginning the process of starting a new team, you should check to make sure that your school does not already have a Jessup Team. Each school may only enter one team in the Competition. Once you have verified that your school does not already have a Jessup Team, we recommend that you seek the advice of faculty members at your school who teach international law or who may be familiar with the Jessup Competition. Faculty advisors are useful because they can mobilize the resources of the school to support your team. Many Jessup teams receive funding, advisory support, and academic credit from their schools. Your next step is to introduce the Competition to other students who may be interested in participating on a Jessup Team. Once the members of the team are organized, the last step is to contact the ILSA Executive Office at [email protected] to register your team. ILSA recommends that new teams read the White & Case Jessup Guide, a student-focused guide to working with the Jessup Problem, researching international law, writing memorials, and presenting oral arguments. Back to Top

II. THE JESSUP COMPETITION AND ILSA

What is the relationship between the Jessup Competition and ILSA?

The ILSA Executive Office is responsible for the global administration of the Jessup Competition. The ILSA Executive Office appoints Administrators to run Qualifying Rounds in their country. The ILSA Executive Director is the final arbiter in the implementation and interpretation of the Official Rules and Supplements to the Official Rules.

What is the difference between a Jessup Team and an ILSA Chapter?

The purpose of ILSA is to promote the study and understanding of international law. ILSA achieves this purpose through various programs, including the Jessup Moot Court Competition and local ILSA Chapters.

(1) Jessup Competition: The Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition is an international law advocacy competition for law students. Each law school, law faculty or institution with a law-related degree program may select one Jessup Team to represent the school in the Competition. A maximum of five students may participate on a school’s Jessup Team. Teams compete against each other by presenting both oral and written pleadings, which are evaluated by judges based upon advocacy skills and knowledge of international law. (2) ILSA Chapters: ILSA Chapters are student-run organizations dedicated to the promotion of international law. ILSA Chapters are established locally at law schools as clubs or student groups, and are commonly known as International Law Societies (ILS). While only a maximum of five students may participate on a school’s Jessup team, ILSA Chapter membership is open to all students interested in joining. The activities of ILSA Chapters generally include organizing conferences, contributing to student-edited journals and magazines, promoting an international law curriculum, supporting the school’s participation in international law moots, and providing networking opportunities to students in the field of international law. The ILSA Executive Office serves as the umbrella organization for the global network of ILSA Chapters and facilitates Chapter activities.

What is the relationship between the Jessup Team and ILSA Chapter at my school?

Many schools have both an ILSA Chapter and a Jessup Team. ILSA Chapters at some schools organize the selection process and provide support for their school’s Jessup Team, while ILSA Chapters at other schools are not involved with their school’s Jessup Team. One of the benefits of having a registered ILSA Chapter at your school is a reduced Jessup Registration fee. NOTE: Some schools may have an International Law Society or similar student group that is not a registered ILSA Chapter. In order to qualify for the Jessup Registration reduced fee and other ILSA benefits, these groups must register as ILSA Chapters online at www.ilsa.org under "Register an ILSA Chapter."

Can I connect with ILSA and the Jessup Competition on social media?

Yes, we encourage everyone to connect with us on social media. Be the first to hear about competition news and updates. Share your pictures from the Jessup Competition and connect with other competitors. For frequent updates on the Jessup Competition, please follow The Jessup and White & Case Jessup on Twitter and the Jessup's official LinkedIn Group. For all ILSA updates, please like us on Facebook and follow us on both Instagram and LinkedIn. To watch our videos please join us on and Vimeo. Back to Top

III. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

Which schools are eligible to participate in the Jessup Competition?

Any law school, law faculty, or institution with a degree program in international law is eligible to participate in the Competition. Each school may only enter one team to compete, unless the Executive Office determines that extenuating circumstances justify the participation of multiple teams from a single school. Please see the Official Rules, which are released each August, for more detailed information regarding eligibility.

Which students are eligible to participate on a Jessup Team?

Students pursuing a law degree or a degree related to international law at an eligible school may compete on behalf of that school so long as they are enrolled at least part-time and have not engaged in the practice of law after graduating from another law degree program. Some students must also obtain the ILSA Executive Office’s written permission to participate if the Official Rules so require. Please review the Official Rules, which are released each August, for detailed information regarding team member eligibility.

Can a school have more than one Jessup Team?

Generally, no. Each school may only enter one Jessup Team in the Competition. In extenuating circumstances, a school or a tournament Administrator may petition the ILSA Executive Office to allow multiple teams from a single school to compete. For more information, please see the Official Rules, which are released each August.

How are Team Members selected for a school’s Jessup Team?

A school may determine its own method for choosing the members of its Jessup Team. A school may hold an intramural competition to determine the members of the school’s Jessup Team. However, the current Competition Problem may NOT be used in an intramural competition unless the written approval of the ILSA Executive Director has been obtained. For more information, please see the Official Rules, which are released each August.

How many students may participate on each Jessup Team?

Each Jessup Team may have a maximum of five (5) team members. A Jessup Team may choose to have less than five (5) team members, but must have at least two (2) team members to constitute a team. No more than five (5) individuals may contribute to the work product of the team over the course of the competition year. For more information, please see the Official Rules, which are released each August.

Who may be a team advisor, coach, or faculty advisor?

A team advisor is anyone who is responsible for organizing, advising, or training a Jessup Team, such as coaches and faculty advisors. Anyone may act as a team advisor, including professors, lawyers, graduate students, and former Jessup Competitors. Team advisors are allowed to provide general advice and instruction regarding the basic principles of international law to provided overall guidance, but they are prohibited from doing any work for the team such as drafting specific legal arguments. Jessup Teams are not required to have a team advisor, and as a general rule a team should not have more team advisors than necessary to adequately prepare them for fair competition. For more information, please see the Official Rules, which are released each August. Back to Top

IV: REGISTERING FOR THE JESSUP COMPETITION

 

How can my Team register for the Jessup Competition?

To register for the Jessup Competition, a representative from your team (a team member, team advisor, or official team contact) must do the following:

1. Complete the online Jessup Registration Form, which will be available each year at www.ilsa.org, by the deadline specified in the Official Schedule. 2. Complete payment of the Registration Fee by the deadline specified in the Official Schedule. 3. Register all individual team members by the deadline specified in the Official Schedule. 4. Teams that compete in a Qualifying Tournament must be sure to comply with the separate registration requirements of the Administrator of their Qualifying Tournament, if any. Please check the Qualifying Rounds Page periodically to see if a Rules Supplement has been posted for your country.

What is the deadline for Team Registration?

All registration deadlines can be found in the Official Schedule, including deadlines for team rosters, waiver applications, eligibility inquiries, and special permission requests.

How do I know that my Team’s Jessup registration form has been properly received?

As soon as you click “continue” at the bottom of the online Jessup registration form, information will appear on your computer screen displaying your registration information and payment instructions.

How do I know that my Team’s registration fee has been properly received?

Once the payment of your registration fee has been received and processed by the ILSA Executive Office, a receipt confirming payment will be available under the "Payment Information" tab of your Team Homepage.

 

How much is the registration fee?

The registration fee amount varies by country. There is a reduced fee for schools with a registered ILSA chapter. To determine your registration fee amount, check the Fee Schedule listed under the tab named as such. Next, determine whether or not your school has an ILSA Chapter by checking with your school’s International Law Society or inquiring with the ILSA Executive Office at [email protected]. EXAMPLES: 1) If a team is from the country of Cameroon, but does not have a registered ILSA Chapter, its registration fee would be exactly the same as the Schedule III country registration fee, since Cameroon is listed as a Schedule III country, and no discounts apply. 2) If a team is from the country of Cameroon, has a registered ILSA Chapter, its registration fee would be: (Schedule III country registration fee) – (ILSA Chapter discount) = registration fee.

What currency should I use to pay the registration fee?

The registration fee must be paid in USD.

What form of payment should I use to pay the registration fee?

Our preferred form of payment would be with credit card, through your Team Homepage. We accept Visa, Master Card, or American Express only. Other acceptable forms of payment include a check or money order from a United States bank, or a wire transfer. If you use a wire transfer then you will need to request the wire transfer information from the Executive Office at [email protected], and then follow the steps from there. Please note that a wire transfer can take up to a week to process.

How do Teams finance the cost of registration?

Each team is responsible for funding the cost of registration. Teams that have limited financial resources may apply for a waiver or discount of the registration fee by submitting a completed Fee Waiver application form by the deadline indicated in the Official Schedule.

How do I make changes to my Team’s registration information, including adding or changing team members?

Once team members have been registered through the Team Homepage, changes cannot be made by the Team. To request a change to any team information, please email your request along with reasonable explanation for the change to [email protected]

How do I register a new team member or substitute a team member?

Team members are registered under the "Profile" link on your Team Homepage. Team members cannot be changed by a Team once registered. To request a substitution, send an email to [email protected], making sure to include explanation of the circumstances justifying the substitution.

When do Teams receive their team numbers?

Teams receive their team numbers once the online registration form has been submitted AND the registration fee has been paid in full. Your team number will be included on the receipt confirming payment of the registration fee and will be displayed on your Team Homepage. Back to Top

V. COMPETITION FORMAT

 

 What is the schedule for the Jessup Competition?

The Official Schedule for the Jessup Competition is available under the 'Official Schedule and Rules' tab. Schools may register for the Jessup Competition up until the Registration Deadline listed in the Official Schedule. The competition season officially begins in September, when the Jessup Competition Problem (the Compromis) is released. Each team’s written pleadings (memorials) must be submitted to the ILSA Executive Office by the deadline indicated in the Official Schedule (usually the first week of January), or earlier if required by an applicable Rules Supplement. Most countries with more than one registered Jessup team hold Qualifying Rounds in January and February. The team or teams representing each country travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the White & Case International Rounds in March or April of each year.

What is the official language of the Jessup Competition?

The official language of the Jessup Competition is English. All memorials and oral pleadings must be in English, except under the following circumstances: Memorials: A team may write and submit its memorials for a Qualifying Round in a language other than English only if permitted by that Qualifying Round’s Rules Supplement. A team that submits its memorials in a language other than English and advances to the White & Case International Rounds must translate its memorials into English and submit them to the ILSA Executive Office by the deadline indicated in the Official Rules, which are released each August. Oral Rounds: A team may present its oral pleadings for a Qualifying Round in a language other than English only if permitted by that Qualifying Round’s Rules Supplement. A team that wishes to present its oral pleadings in a language other than English at the White & Case International Rounds must inform the ILSA Executive Office by the deadline indicated in the Official Rules, which are released each August, and must arrange and pay for an interpreter to translate their oral pleadings into English.

What are the different levels of the Jessup Competition?

The Jessup Competition consists of two levels: (1) the Qualifying Rounds, and (2) the White & Case International Rounds. 1. Qualifying Rounds: If more than one team registers for the Jessup Competition from the same country, the ILSA Executive Office will notify each team that a Qualifying Round will be held to determine which team(s) will represent the country at the White & Case International Rounds. The Executive Office will also appoint a National Administrator to organize the Qualifying Round. The Administrator may create a Rules Supplement to the Jessup Official Rules that will regulate the Qualifying Tournament. Each team participating in a Qualifying Tournament will participate in four preliminary oral rounds, arguing twice as Applicant and twice as Respondent. However, if four (4) or fewer teams are participating in a Qualifying Round, the ILSA Executive Office may allow each team to participate in less than four preliminary oral rounds. For more information, please see the Official Rules. 2. International Rounds: The highest level of the Jessup Competition is the White & Case International Rounds, held each year in Washington, D.C. The White & Case International Rounds includes Preliminary Rounds, Advanced Rounds, and the World Championship Round. During the Preliminary Rounds, each team will compete in four (4) oral rounds, pleading twice as Applicant and twice as Respondent. The White & Case International Rounds last one week and coincide with the American Society of International Law’s annual meeting. For more information, please see the Official Rules and the International Rounds Page on ILSA’s website.

What is a Qualifying Round?

When more than one team from a single country registers for the Jessup Competition, a Qualifying Round will be organized to determine which team or teams will represent that country at the White & Case International Rounds. Qualifying Rounds are organized by a National Administrator, appointed by the ILSA Executive Office. The Administrator may develop a Rules Supplement to the Jessup Official Rules that will regulate the Qualifying Round. For more information, please see the Official Rules.

How many Oral Rounds will my Jessup Team compete in during a Qualifying Round?

Each team participating in a Qualifying Round will participate in four preliminary oral rounds, pleading twice as Applicant and twice as Respondent. However, if four (4) or fewer teams are participating in a Qualifying Round, the ILSA Executive Office may allow each team to participate in less than four preliminary oral rounds. If there are any Advanced Rounds in the Tournament, and your team advances, it will compete in one (1) additional oral round each time it advances, pleading as either Applicant or Respondent as determined before each Advanced Round. The Advanced Rounds in a Qualifying Tournament may include Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, and Championship Rounds, depending upon the number of teams competing in the Tournament and subject to the Administrator’s discretion. For more information, please see the Official Rules.

Does my jurisdiction have a Qualifying Round?

The list of jurisdictions that hold Qualifying Rounds varies from year to year. Currently, approximately 50 participating jurisdictions hold Qualifying Rounds. Jurisdictions that have consistently held Qualifying Rounds in recent years include: Argentina; Armenia; Australia; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Chinese Taipei; Colombia; the Czech Republic; Ethiopia; France; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Hong Kong, China; Hungary; India; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Kazakhstan; Malaysia; Mexico; the Netherlands; Nigeria; Philippines; Poland; Romania; Russia; South Africa; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Turkey; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; and the United States. If you are unsure whether your jurisdiction will hold a Qualifying Round, please consult the National Round Schedule or email [email protected].

How many teams from each Qualifying Round advance to the International Rounds?

A: Each Qualifying Round may advance at least one team to the White & Case International Rounds of the Competition for every ten teams that participate in its Qualifying Round. Therefore, if twenty teams compete in a Qualifying Round, at least two teams may advance to the White & Case International Rounds. Beyond this minimum threshold, the ILSA Executive Director will determine the exact number of teams that will advance to the White & Case International Rounds and the manner in which they are chosen. How many oral rounds will my Jessup Team compete in during the International Rounds? If your Team advances to the International Rounds, it will compete in four preliminary oral rounds, pleading twice as Applicant and twice as Respondent. If your Team advances to the Advanced Rounds, it will compete in one additional oral round each time it advances, pleading as either Applicant or Respondent as determined before each Advanced Round. The Advanced Rounds consist of Run-off Rounds (round of 32), Octo-Finals, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and the World Championship Rounds. For more information, please see the Official Rules. Back to Top

VI. PREPARING FOR THE COMPETITION

What resources are available to assist my Jessup Team with researching and writing our memorials?

ILSA offers two batches of “basic materials” to help teams research the Competition Problem. These materials are available to all teams participating in the competition, and may be accessed free of charge on ILSA's website. These basic materials provide a good overview of resources, topics, and arguments that should not be overlooked. Competitive teams will want to conduct additional research. For release dates of the basic materials, please refer to the Official Schedule. In addition, ILSA lists a variety of research tools on the Jessup Competitors Page. Finally, ILSA also recommends that teams read the White & Case Jessup Guide, and the ILSA Guide to International Moot Court Competitions.

What is the best way to prepare for the Oral Rounds of the Competition?

Most teams prepare for their Oral Rounds by holding practice rounds where one team member presents his or her oral pleadings while the other team member(s) serve as Judges. Some teams also invite professors and legal practitioners to attend their practice rounds as guest Judges. Many teams watch videos from the World Championship Round of past International Rounds. These videos allow students to observe the general procedure and set-up of the mooting process, the types of questions asked by judges, and the speaking style of past winners. For an example of what mooting looks like in action, please see video clips from previous years Final Rounds on ILSA's YouTube Channel. If you are interested in purchasing Final Round DVDs, please visit the ILSA Store or our Vimeo. How and when do Jessup Teams get passwords to research databases such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnline? Eligible teams competing in the Competition may request a password to access LexisNexis, Westlaw and/or HeinOnline free of charge to assist with their research. Once a Jessup Team has paid their registration fee, they will be eligible to receive research passwords. Teams can expect all research passwords to be available for distribution in mid-September. How do teams finance the cost of traveling to the International Rounds? Each team is responsible for funding the expenses associated with attending the White & Case International Rounds, including all transportation costs, hotel accommodations, and meals while in Washington, D.C. Many teams fundraise by asking their school, local and regional companies, law firms, government agencies, and educational foundations to contribute monetary and other resources. The ILSA Executive Office will provide a letter of support to potential sponsors identified by Jessup Teams. To obtain a letter of support, please contact the ILSA Executive Office at [email protected].

Does ILSA assist team members, coaches or judges in obtaining visas to attend the International Rounds in Washington, D.C.?

ILSA will prepare a letter of invitation for those who need a visa to attend the week-long White & Case International Rounds in Washington, D.C. ILSA will provide letters only to those who are officially involved with the Competition. Individuals who wish to obtain a letter of invitation must submit their Jessup affiliation details, passport information, and school name in a timely manner to the ILSA Executive Office at [email protected]. If an individual qualifies for a letter of invitation, ILSA will send the letter of support to the applicant. The applicant is responsible for submitting the letter of support to the appropriate officials and completing the visa application process.

What should my Team do to reserve a hotel at the International Rounds?

Jessup teams may stay anywhere they like in Washington, D.C. Most teams stay at a hotel or youth hostel. Some teams stay with friends or family. Other teams make accommodation arrangements through their local Embassies. The ILSA Executive Office reserves a block of rooms at two hotels: the competition venue and an overflow hotel. The ILSA Executive Office will send instructions for making reservations at these two hotels to all teams advancing to the White & Case International Rounds. There are a limited number of rooms. All reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. If a team is not able to make reservations at one of these two hotels, teams must find other accommodations on their own. It is important that each advancing team make its reservations as soon as possible. The spring is a popular tourist season in Washington, D.C., and hotel rooms fill up quickly. Please contact [email protected] with questions about hotel arrangements at the White & Case International Rounds. Back to Top If you would like to see additional questions featured on this page, please send your suggestions to the ILSA Executive Office via email to [email protected].