The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot is the world’s largest competitive moot competition. Over 700 teams compete from 193 countries. NYLS regularly fields a team to this Moot. Team members are selected from among applicants by the faculty coaches. Criteria for selection include:

• Demonstrated interest in, and serious commitment to undertake, professional-level scholarship in any of the following fields: human rights, international environmental law, outer space law, International humanitarian law, international economic law, law of war and peace, law of the sea, international labor law, etc.
• Skill in legal writing
• Competitive keenness, talent, and strong motivation to master the skills of international-level oral advocacy
• Skills in collaboration
• Proven ability to participate in the team without adverse academic consequences
• Other subjective measures

Team members will meet every Friday in the fall term for two hours from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (or at a different day and time if more convenient) to master international law and international court procedures and to analyze the Moot Problem when it is released. Students unable to attend these classes should not apply.

The team will research and draft a first draft of the briefs in the first week of October, and research and draft the final briefs by their early January submission deadline. These briefs are major substantive challenges and require many hours of work, both individually and with fellow team members. They will form a large part of the overall team score.

Team members will meet for at least two hours a week in the spring term to develop advocacy skills in international law. In the spring semester, the team engages in intensive pre-competition moots in preparation for the competition. In addition, members must be available to participate in moots every week during the month of February.

Team participation is not open to 1L students. Approved for the Experiential Learning Requirement and satisfies the Writing Requirement.

Please note: Per ABA rules, this course may only be used for one graduation requirement. Students must communicate with the Registrar to elect to count the course for either Writing Requirement or Experiential Learning Requirement.

Recommended for the Following Professional Pathways: International Business; International Law/Human Rights; Litigation/Dispute Resolution; Corporate Transactions and Governance; Labor and Employment

4 Credits (2 credits per semester)