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 Manfred Lachs Space 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, serving as Faculty Advisor, together with Giorgio Cardile, Nicolò Crosta, Maria Giovanna Genovesi, and Martina Fortuna, serving as Assistant Faculty Advisors. The team will work under the supervision of Professor Francesca Benatti, faculty coordinator.
About the Competition
Organized annually by the International Institute of Space Law, the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious international moot court competitions. Established in 1992, it brings together dozens of teams each year from five regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.
The competition is based on a hypothetical problem in international space law, drafted each year by experts in the field. It offers an outstanding opportunity for students interested in international law, space law, and international dispute settlement 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 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition for the first time and achieved an outstanding result in the European Regional Round.
In its debut appearance, the University team placed second overall, receiving the Runner-Up Team award. In the same edition, one member of the team was also awarded Best Oralist of the Final Round. This prestigious recognition includes a paid internship at the European Space Agency (ESA) and stands as a significant acknowledgment of both the students’ excellence and the quality of the training provided by the University.
Competition structure
The competition consists of three main stages.
- 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 set by the International Institute of Space Law and, for the European Regional Round, by the European Centre for Space Law. Submission is expected by February 2027.
- Regional rounds
After submitting the memorials, teams compete in the regional rounds, which are usually held in April.
- World Finals
At the conclusion of the regional rounds, the winning teams advance to the World Finals, held in connection with the International Astronautical Congress, which is scheduled to take place in Poznań, Poland, from September 27 to October 1, 2027.
The finals are judged by three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice.
Academic credit
The Manfred Lachs Space 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).