1. Expertise in strategical legal fields
Taking part in the Vis Moot will allow students to familiarize and deepen their knowledge in legal fields which are of utmost importance for an international career in law, such as international commercial law, international commercial arbitration, comparative law, private international law.
“The Vis Moot has represented the most sincere and authentic experience that I did, and could have possibly done, as a law student.
I could not ask for anything else: research, teamwork, advocacy, network. Everything was there and everything is still here: it is an everlasting journey I will never abandon”– Giovanni Viglino, former participant, 2017-2018 edition
2. Carrying out legal research
Under the supervision of the coaches, each team member will learn how to carry out the necessary legal research to support the relevant arguments and the parties’s case while drafting the memoranda, using different Italian and foreign databases, both in paper format and in electronic versions.
3. Learning techniques on written and oral legal advocacy in English
Students will learn the fundamental techniques on written and oral legal advocacy in English, which are of the utmost importance for lawyers involved in a cross-border litigation and arbitration setting. Indeed, writing and orally pleading well, in an organized, convincing and fluent manner is a powerful tool in the practice of law.
Students will be trained in identifying and framing, in each legal dispute, the key legal, factual and evidential issues; using skeleton arguments and the architecture of writing; presenting a legal argument in a manner which is clear, well organized, fluent, effective and persuasive; adopting the proper drafting style, with particular attention devoted to simplification, visualization, selection of adjectives and adverbs; quoting literature and case law; preparing a pleading for an oral hearing; organizing the arguments, working on opening and closing statements, preparing effective roadmaps and requests for relief; improving debating skills; developing self-confidence in answering forseeable and unforseeable questions from tribunals without hesitation or uncertainties.
“After 4 years of experiencing Law on books, I felt like I needed more “action”. The Vis Moot has been the best opportunity as a student to challenge myself in a practical and stimulating environment, getting in touch with foreign legal cultures and growing both as a person and as a professional.” – Ilaria Demagistri, former participant, 2019-2020 edition
4. Teamwork
Students will learn how to work in team. Teamwork and team building are fundamental abilities and skills in any working environment. They help group’s members to better understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests. They set the tone for a positive work culture and strengthen individual members’ unique contributions. They increase productivity and develop the collective potential and by channeling that increased productivity into a fun, inclusive team building activity, teams can bond in a more effective way than by other methods. They enhance the motivation to work, the creativity and general enthusiasm. They foster and improve communication and trust among teams’ members.
5. International network
Participation in the Vis Moot competition will offer the unique opportunity to enter in contact with a worldwide network of eminent and outstanding academics, professionals, arbitrators, officers of international arbitration institutions and international organizations. Every year 4000 people gather in Vienna for the final stage of the competition. Many people met during the Moot will become friends for life.
“The truth is the Vis Moot will always be part of your life. The knowledge, the skills and the brilliant international network are what will enrich your baggage if you decide to accept this challenge.
If I had to describe the Vis Moot in few words, I would say it is the ultimate experience for a law student” – Camilla Gerosa, former participant, 2017-2018 edition
6. A stepping stone for a successful career in law
For many students, participation in the Vis Moot has been a life-changing experience, for the huge professional opportunities it offered for a successful career in the legal profession.
“The Vis Moot has been a unique experience of growth for me. I had never faced a challenge comparable to the one of the last 8 months. What I received, however, is extraordinary: I acquired valuable skills for my future and, more importantly, I learned more than I could ever imagine about myself and the world I will live in.” – Federico Santamaria, former participant, 2019-2020 edition
7. The best possible experience
Participation in the Moot competition will probably be the best experience students can do during their universities’ studies, if not in their entire life…
“The Willem C. Vis moot has been one of the most stimulating life-changing experiences of my life, to the point that my life could well be divided in two parts: before and after the competition. Needless to say, the latter is way better than the former” – Gaia Gamberale, former participant, 2017-2018 edition
“At a certain point in our lives we need to face our limits and find out the things we’re good at. The Vis Moot is one of those rare experiences where a Law major can test its abilities and figure out whether it has what it takes to become a lawyer or not. Whatever the answer will be, after the Moot you will have one.” – Francesco Tognato, former participant, 2019-2020 edition