Gray’s Inn team runners-up in UK National Rounds of Jessup International Law Moot 2022
Now in its 63rd year, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot is the world’s largest and most prestigious mooting competition. It attracts participants from over 700 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions around the world.
Having prepared two 50-page written memorials, teams from around the UK gathered at Lincoln’s Inn for the first stage of the competition, the UK National Championship. This year’s problem (or Compromis) concerned an independence referendum and focussed on four issues: the admissibility of illegally obtained evidence, the suspension of a high-profile social media account, foreign interference in an election, and the use of a botnet to spread misinformation.
The successful team consisted of Alex Yean, Isabelle Agerbak, Kate Johnston, Gabriel Moberg and Lauren Chittenden. After three long days of mooting, the Gray’s Inn team advanced to the final, having triumphed over many strong teams. The final took place before a panel presided over by Sir Michael Wood (Twenty Essex Chambers and a member of the UN International Law Commission). Alex Yean was granted the prestigious award of best oralist in the preliminary rounds. Isabelle Agerbak ranked 3rd best oralist of the preliminary rounds.
While the team was finally defeated in a close-run final against the University of Oxford, the team nevertheless advances to the international rounds, where they hope to replicate their domestic success. In normal circumstances, these global rounds would take place in Washington, but this year, as last year, they are being held online.
The team were coached by Dheemanth Vangimalla, Samuel Moss and Nicholas Leah, members of last year’s team. This year’s result marks the continuation of a rich Jessup tradition at Gray’s Inn.
Article contributed by the moot team.