2014-2015

22nd Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial

Arbitration Moot

What is the VIS Moot?

A made-up dispute, between 2 (or more) private parties in an arbitration setting, based on issues that arise out of a commercial transaction.

There are two phases to the VIS Moot:Phase I: Written Memoranda Phase II: Oral Arguments (Vienna, Austria)

All information for the VIS Moot can be found online: http://www.cisg.law.pace.edu/vis.html

The goal of the Vis Arbitral Moot is to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes through its application to a concrete problem of a client and to train law leaders of tomorrow in methods of alternative dispute resolution.

Goals of the VIS Moot

• In depth knowledge of commercial law and arbitration law;

• Skill-building in oral and written advocacy;

• Team work experience;

• Practical legal training;

• Making connections with friends from all over the world

• A FUN learning experience!

What can VIS participants expect from the Moot?

What does the Moot expect from its participants?

• Research all applicable law;

• Write two memoranda; • Prepare for oral arguments;

• Travel to Vienna, Austria! Student coaches Richard Kyle and

Kristine Long work alongside University of Bahrain student Nahla Kamaluddin on the issues presented

in the Problem.

VIS Calendar

Friday, 3 October 2014 Distribution of the Problem

Thursday, 23 October 2014 Deadline for requests for clarification

Sunday, 30 November 2014 Closing date for submission of registration form

Thursday, 11 December 2014

Friday, 12 December 2014

Memorandum for claimant due

Payment of registration fee due

Thursday, 22 January 2015 Memorandum for respondent due

Thursday, 26 March 2015 Moot Alumni Association Welcoming Party

Friday, 27 March 2015 Official Welcome and reception

Saturday-Tuesday, 28-31 March 2015 General Rounds of argument

Tuesday evening-Wednesday-Thursday , 31 March- 2 April, 2015

Elimination Rounds of argument

Thursday, 2 April 2015 Awards Banquet

Preparing for the written memoranda:Teams will draft two 25 page

Memoranda prior to arrival in Vienna, Austria. One memorandum will be for Claimant and the other for Respondent.

Each team will: • Research the issues presented in the Problem;

• Address the issues in the memoranda;

• Edit the memoranda prior to submission;

• Collaborate with team members, faculty, and student coaches to discuss the Problem.

The Sultan Qaboos University team discussing the Problem and new

issues in Vienna with student coach Rick Grubb.

Preparing for the Oral Arguments:

UAE University, Al Ain students at the Pitt Consortium Pre- Moot

University of Bahrain students with student coach Marc Coda at oral arguments in Vienna

Oral Argument preparation begins in the Spring, after the Respondent’s Memorandum is due.

• Professor Brand and student coaches will return in February for Oral Argument Pre-Moots• Annual Willem C. Vis Middle East International Commercial Arbitration Pre-Moot will be held in Abu Dhabi in February 2013 • Students will travel to Vienna in April for oral argument rounds!

Vis Final Banquet: Consortium Teams

While in Vienna, the Bosnian and Herzegovinian teams will have the opportunity to meet the other Pitt consortium teams!

A wonderful opportunity for teams to meet and interact with international students from all over the world!