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Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

2027 Team Selection

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is pleased to open the selection process for students who will represent the University in the 2027 edition of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are open until June 21, 2026.

The team will be coached by Riccardo Ricchetti and Francesca Sironi De Gregorio, serving as Team Advisors, together with Roberta Antonione, Emma Caroleo, and Paolo Lacchin, serving as Junior Coaches. The activity will be carried out under the supervision of Professor Gabriele Della Morte, faculty coordinator.
 

About the competition

Organized annually by the International Law Students Association, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is one of the world's most prestigious international moot court competitions. Established in 1960, it brings together more than 700 law schools from approximately 90 countries each year.

The competition is based on a hypothetical case in public international law, drafted annually by experts in the field. It offers an outstanding opportunity for students interested in international law and international litigation to deepen their knowledge and develop practical advocacy skills.

 

Università Cattolica’s experience in the 2026 edition

In 2026, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore took part in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition for the second time, achieving a significant result in the Italian National Round.

In its second appearance, the University team advanced to the semifinals of the National Round and was recognized as second Best New Team and second Exhibition Team. Following a repechage, the team was also given the opportunity to take part in the International Rounds in Washington, D.C. as an Exhibition Team.

In the same edition, one member of the team was also recognized as one of the Best Oralists of the competition. This distinction included the opportunity to undertake a paid internship at Freshfields, the main sponsor of the National Round, and stands as a significant acknowledgment of both the excellence of the students' performance and the quality of the training provided by the University.
 

Il Programma

The competition consists of three main stages.

  1. Written phase

Participating teams are required to prepare two memorials, one for the Applicant and one for the Respondent. The memorials must comply with the drafting rules established by the International Law Students Association. Submission is expected by January 2027.

  1. National rounds

After submitting the memorials, teams compete in the national rounds, which are usually held in February.

  1. International rounds

At the end of the national rounds, the qualifying teams advance to the international rounds, held in Washington, D.C.
 

Academic credit

The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is recognized as part of the other educational activities included in the curriculum of the Faculty of Law. Participating students will therefore be awarded 5 academic credits (CFU).

Up to five students enrolled in the Master's Degree in Law will be selected.

Selection will be based on an interview and the following criteria:

  • academic record and curriculum vitae;
  • knowledge of the fundamentals of international law;
  • proficiency in English (recommended minimum level: B2).

To be eligible, applicants must have successfully completed the exam in Public International Law. Preference will be given to students who have completed additional coursework in international law.

Interviews will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, according to arrangements that will be communicated by the organizers in the days immediately beforehand.

Students wishing to apply must send an email by Sunday, June 21, 2026 to Riccardo Ricchetti and Francesca Sironi De Gregorio, using the following subject line:

“Application Jessup - [full name]”

The email must include:

  • a curriculum vitae, clearly stating the student's year of study, any selected academic track, the grade received in Public International Law, and any additional coursework completed in the field of international law;
  • any other document containing information relevant to the selection process.
     

Participation in the competition involves:

  • a team registration fee of €650;
  • travel, lodging, and meal expenses related to the Italian National Round;
  • in the event of qualification, travel, lodging, and meal expenses related to the international rounds.

The registration fee will be fully reimbursed by the University.

All other expenses are to be borne by the team members. In the event of qualification for the international rounds, travel, lodging, and meal expenses for that stage will be partially covered by the University. Reimbursement will be subject to the submission of appropriate supporting documentation.
 

Further information and contacts

Further information about the competition is available on the official website of the International Law Students Association. General information about the Italian National Round is also available on the relevant official website.

For any further information, please contact:

 

Francesca Sironi De Gregorio

francesca.sironide@unicatt.it

 

Riccardo Ricchetti

riccardo.ricchetti@unicatt.it

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