The topic of this year's Jessup Competition is particularly relevant for Armenia given the recent war and the legal challenges that have arisen as a result

The Jessup National Round Moot Court competition was successfully hosted in Yerevan, Armenia, on March 05, 2023. The competition brought together students to participate in simulated court proceedings and showcase their legal skills. The event provided a platform to them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of international law, as well as their ability to engage in legal argumentation and analysis. 

The Jessup Competition, organized by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), is the largest moot court competition in the world, with over 700 law schools from more than 100 countries participating. The competition simulates a fictional dispute between two countries before the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Students from participating law schools prepare written and oral arguments on the case and present them before a panel of judges.

The competition comes at a crucial time for Armenia, given the recent war with Azerbaijan and current proceedings in the International Court of Justice. As a result of the war, Armenia faces a number of legal challenges, including issues related to the treatment of prisoners of war, the protection of cultural heritage sites, and the responsibility of state actors for war crimes and other violations of international law.

The event was organized by the ICLaw Armenia (International and Comparative Law Center) in collaboration with the International Law Students Association. The teams were judged by a panel of legal professionals and scholars Mr. Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Ms. Sheila Paylan and Mr. Suren Sargsyan, who evaluated the participants’ legal arguments and analytical skills.

Throughout the competition, the participants demonstrated a deep understanding of international law and a commitment to upholding legal norms and principles. The judges were impressed by the level of preparation and legal reasoning displayed by the students, and many remarked on the high quality of the arguments presented.

The Russian-Armenian University team won the competition and will represent Armenia at the International Rounds, which will be held in Washington, D.C. in April, and the team from Yerevan State University won the Best Memorial award.

The Jessup National Round Moot Court competition in Armenia serves as a testament to the country's commitment to promoting international legal norms and upholding the rule of law, even in times of crisis. By hosting the competition, Armenia has demonstrated its commitment to providing a platform for legal professionals to engage with and deepen their understanding of the role of international law in promoting peace and justice.

"The topic of this year's Jessup Competition is particularly relevant for Armenia given the recent war and the legal challenges that have arisen as a result," noted Ms Siranush Sahakyan, the President of ICLaw Armenia, "The competition provides an opportunity for students to engage with these issues and develop their understanding of international law and its application in practice."