Moot Court Willem C. Vis

The 3^rd edition of the Innsbruck Arbitration Day is now open for application! 

A wide range of great speakers are already looking forward to offering insights into the world of arbitration and related areas, in particular construction and corporate law as well as the fascinating field of legal risk analysis. Hard facts:

Where? Agnes-Heller Haus, University of Innsbruck, seminar room 12
When? 21 June 2024 from 14:00

Further information and the possibility to register until 13 June 2024 can be found at

INVITE - Innsbruck Arbitration Day - 3rd Edition - 21. June 2024

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

 Click here for Open Call Vis Moot Court 2024!

The Innsbruck arbitration day - a success!

The Innsbruck Arbitration Day. The Arbitration Day in the Alps - 2nd edition - has been a success, bringing together practitioners, scholars and students to discuss up-to-date and upcoming issues of arbitration. 

Ranging from engery disputes, to consumer protections, how to apply applicable law and public policy in arbitration to the services offered and structure of Vienna International Arbitral Centre of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (VIAC) the presentations and discussions were intriguing and provided an opportunity to appreciate different nuances of arbitration. 

Thank you for your keynote and presentations to all of today's speakers: Karl Pörnbacher, Dietmar Czernich, Helmut Ortner, Markus P. Beham and Anna Förstel-Cherng.

 Thank you very much Désirée Prantl for the organisation of today's event, from the academic program to the networking and discussion opportunities at Brunch sponsored by CHG Czernich Rechtsanwälte, Coffee breaks sponsored by Peters Ortner Rechtsanwälte, Sundowner Drinks and a delicious speaker's dinner sponsored by Baker McKenzie Austria.

In this one-of-its kind event, the Vis Moot Team University of Innsbruck, Katharina Gächter and Fabian Abfalter also had the opportunity to present the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and how to participate representing Universität Innsbruck.

Thank you to all involved, presenting, organising and attending for making today special.

 Innsbruck Arbitration Day 2023 - Program available!

The program for the Arbitration Day in the Alps in its 2nd edition and registration are now open - we’re looking forward to many exiting presentations on up-to-date topics by prominent scholars and practitioners, a brunch and to be able to present the Vis Moot Court to YOU!

2nd Innsbruck Arbitration Day - Program 

Flyer Innsbruck Arbitration Day

The 30th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court.

The first days in Vienna following the opening ceremony were filled with Pleadings in the General Rounds to determine the top teams based on the arbitartor‘s rankings who then proceed to the Elimination Rounds of 64 out of 387 teams as well as a social events framework of receptions and parties hosted by well-known law firms.

The Vis Moot Team University of Innsbruck performed strongly but did not make it to the Elimination Rounds of 64 teams. They met New York Law School, The German University in Cairo, Università degli Studi di Verona and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law before tribunals of three experts for each round respectively.

Over the course of the past week, many professional and social contacts were made at law firm’s receptions, the opening ceremony, closing banquet, MAA’s Welcome and Farewell Party as well as in the MAA’s official Mootie were participants from all around the world gather each night.

We warmly congratulate the team representing the University Vienna as the first Austrian team in the Vis Moot’s history has won the competition!

Enjoy some video highlights from the past week and one looking back over this year’s entire Vis Moot journey: https://lnkd.in/dDNFJh3k and https://lnkd.in/dSkVyv-w

 White & Case Pre-Moot Brussels

The longest and possibly most exiting trip has been to the European political capital for the White & Case Brussels Pre-Moot on 21 and 22 March. The well organised event with high-quality oral submissions marks the last Pre-Moot the team is participating in. Placing 14th overall, the hearings were conducted against opposing counsels from the University of New South Wales, Australia, Campus Law Centre University Delhi, India, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom and Ukrainian Catholic University.

We congratulate the winning team representing the University of Copenhagen and are very much looking forward to the last days of preparation and the Vis Moot Week in Vienna coming up very soon!

The hybrid Innsbruck Arbitration Day in its 2nd edition is coming your way and the program ready to be published!

Hot topics introduced by prominent scholars and practitioners will allow for many intriguing discussions and the event will be accompanied by valuable networking opportunities for partitioners, scholars and students. 

We are looking forward to seeing you there and are available in case of questions!

Day, Time and Location: 28 April 2023 10:30 University of Innsbruck (Austria)

2nd Innsbruck Arbitration Day - Program 

LinkedIn Event Link: 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vismootinnsbruck_arbitration-innsbruck-mootcourtcompetition-activity-6999053769732722688-14cW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

The 4th Austrian Pre-Moot organised by Freshfields Vienna

This Wednesday, 08 March 2023, the team travelled to Vienna for a full day of pleadings against University of Vienna - Willem C. Vis Moot Team, Charles University, Faculty of Law and WU Vienna Vis Moot Team. Congratulations to the winning team from Prague!

We're looking forward to coming back in just three weeks for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Moot Week, but for now the team is en route to Munich!

 The All Rounds Munich Pre-Moot Competition

The All Munich Rounds organised by the Munich Moot Association (MMA) e.V.were intense yet insightful and will remain in great memory for this year's Vis Moot Team Universität Innsbruck | Rechtswissenschaften.

Seven pleadings total in the course of two days against some very strong teams from 
- University of Ljubljana Vis Moot Team
- Stockholm University
- University of Amsterdam
- The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
- Frankfurt Moot Alumni Association e.V. (Frankfurt Vis Moot Team)
- University of Münster und 
- Ukrainian Catholic University. 

The acquired experience in hearings and before different arbitral tribunals will be greatly beneficial in the preparation for Vienna, and as a bonus, the event was accompanied by an opening and closing ceremony, networking dinners and fun after-work get-togethers to keep the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot spirit high and form international personal and inter-university connections.

Vis Moot Team of the University of Innsbruck 🇦🇹 on Instagram: "2023 All Munich Rounds - 2 days, 7 pleadings and whole lot of fun! #arbitration #study #law #lawschool #lawstudents #vismoot #mootcourt #munich #university #innsbruck #students #competition #pleadings #gettogether #premium #travel #international"

instagram.com

 Dublin Pre-Moot

Our student coach Katharina Gächter has been attending the Dublin Pre-Moot as an arbitrator this year, catching up with friends encountered at last year’s Vis Moot competition, provide feedback to other universities, foster cooperations and improve the Vis Moot Team’s network beyond the national boarders.

Hearing at the Handelskammer Bozen

On Tuesday 28 February 2023 the team travelled to Bozen, Italy to attend a very well organised hearing at the Chamber of commerce of Bozen before a diligently prepared arbitral tribunal who asked detailed questions and provided in-depth feedback on both legal reasoning and presentation skills. We are very grateful to Ivo Morello who organised the hearing and a large tribunal of prominent practitioners the insightful follow-up discussions on this year’s and adjacent issues.

Of course, we also found time for some coffee and pizza.

Handelskammer Bozen: https://www.handelskammer.bz.it/de/dienstleistungen/alternative-streitbeilegung/schiedsgericht

Hearing at Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte in Vaduz, Liechtenstein

On Thursday, 23 February 2023, the team had the pleasure to plead against the University of Bern in the offices of Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Daniel Damjanovic, a partner at the law firm, joined the arbitral tribunal and provided the oralists with valuable feedback.

Moritz Martin and Saibya Schroffenegger strongly argued on behalf of Respondent Equatoriana Geoscience Ltd. on the non-applicability of the CISG on the Purchase and Supply agreement and for the dismissal of the tribunal’s jurisdiction. They faced a strong pairing pleading for Claimant Drone Eye plc. who requested the tribunal affirm and enforce the arbitral agreement establishing jurisdiction and deny Article 3.2.5 ICCA be invoked to avoid the contract in favour of the CISG.

A joint dinner afterwards highlighted what the Vis Moot Court spirit and community is about, in learning and training in arbitration while forming cross-boarder friendships.

We wish all the best to the University of Bern, and thank Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte for this valuable and exiting experience as well as supporting us on the road to Vienna.

Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte: https://www.marxerpartner.com/about-us

2. IPR Workshop vom 30.06.2023 

The first Pre-Moot is always special!

On the week-end of 11-12 February 2023 the Vis Moot Team Innsbruck as Claimant faced the Peking University of Transnational Law and Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, and the Fordham University School of Law and Istanbul Bilgi University in their role as counsel for Respondent. 

Both pairings had strong submissions, presented their arguments well and effectively responded to the arbitrators questions - though we still have room for improvements.

The Fordham New York Pre-Moot was a good opportunity for the team to get a taste of what to expect during the Vis Moot Week Vienna, albeit still in a virtual setting. 

 387 Teams

Just confirmed by the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Association: 387 have successfully completed the written phase!

From March 31 to April 6 2023 Vienna will once again become the hub of the Vis Moot Community with students from all over the world coming together to plead before prominent arbitrators, networking and engaging with all the opportunities this prestigious competition has to offer.

Link for “confirmed”: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7026673722476367873

opportunities: https://www.vismoot.org/30th-vis-moot/#events

Start of the Oral Phase

The oral phase of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot will challenge the students representing the Universität Innsbruck | Rechtswissenschaften to concisely and convincingly argue their case before a tribunal of three arbitrators who are practitioners or academics specialised in international arbitration and international trade law themselves. 

The team will use these nine weeks leading up to the General and Final Rounds in Vienna to develop their oral submissions in internal test pleadings, hearings against other participating universities and Pre-Moot Competitions all over Europe.

Memorandum for Respondent

On Thursday 26 January 2023 Saibya Schroffenegger, Lisa Pichler, Moritz Martin and Maximilian Pfluger successfully submitted their Memorandum as counsel for Respondent Equatoriana Geoscience Ltd. in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot PCA Case No. 2022-76 to argue on the issues of: 

1. the arbitration tribunal's jurisdiction to hear the dispute, 
2. whether the proceedings should be stayed or bifurcated,
3. the Purchase and Supply Agreement is subject to the CISG and 
4. if Respondent can invoke Art 3.2.5 ICCA to avoid the contract.

Their reasoning in this 35-page document is based on many hours of research in literature and case law and diligent drafting of their arguments while learning to be responsive to the assigned Memorandum for Claimant.

Herewith concluding the written phase of this year's Vis Moot Court, it is now time for the team representing the Universität Innsbruck | Rechtswissenschaften to recharge and refocus on the upcoming task of convincingly presenting in the oral arguments.

Interesse am Vis Moot Court 2023/24? Zur Vorbereitung wird diese Lehrveranstaltung empfohlen: VU aus Zivilrecht - Advanced Intenational Commercial Arbitration Practice 

The first half of the written phase is done!

On Thursday 8 December 2022 Lisa Pichler, Saibya Schroffenegger, Moritz Martin und Maximilian Pfluger have successfully uploaded their first 35-page Memorandum as counsel for Claimant Drone Eye plc. in the 30th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. The effort and time invested shine through in this well drafted document.

Now it's time to refocus on the arguments and facts supporting Respondent Equatoriana Geoscience Ltd. in the PCA Case No. 2022-76. 

Flyer Arbitration Day

flyer_ibk-arb-day_2023_v3-picture.pdf

For their successful participation and hard work in last year’s 29th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court the Team 2021/22 namely Aleksandra Markovic, Katharina Gächter, Fabian Abfalter, Matthias Krividic (left to right with Prof. Schwartze at the centre), Katharina Stöbich and lukas Jäger (not in attendance) have received the honours of being placed on the Dean’s List of the Faculty of Law, University of Innsbruck.
The Vis Moot builds on the active engagement of many whereby the support of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Schwartze, Désirée Prantl and Helmut Ortner were the cornerstones of their success. Throughout their preparation they were further assisted by Kristin Nemeth, Narmin Abilova, Matteo Ciampa, Prof. Schumacher and Alvaro Bellindo de Luna in reviewing their written drafts or giving feedback on oral presentations.
Leading up to the Vis Moot Week Vienna, they were able to partake in the Virtual Austrian Pre-Moot organised by Freshfields Vienna, the ICC Pre-Moot in Paris and the Open Pre-Moot of the University of Belgrade through the generous support of Greiter, Pegger, Kofler & Partner and the ÖH Innsbruck. 
At the basis however is the University of Innsbruck’s Faculty of Law providing the opportunity to enter this prestigious competition.

Thank you!

We are happy and exited to be able to represent the University of Innsbruck in the 30th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court by working together as a team, tackling complex legal issues and drafting our arguments.

Moritz Martin, Karin Gubi, Saibya Schroffenegger, Lisa Pichler and Maximilian Pfluger

The Vis Moot season has officially commenced with the publication of the Problem of the 30th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court and our team - the fourth ever to represent the Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck in this prestigious competition - is exited and eager to work with it, analyse the legal issues, formulate arguments and present them in written and oral submissions.

Look to the official posting of the Vis Moot Organisational Team to view their video.

Am Dienstag, den 7. Juni 2022, findet an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Innsbruck er erste “Arbitration Day” statt. Alle an International Commercial Arbitration Interessierten, vor allem auch Studierende, die sich für die Teilnahme am Vis Moot Court interessieren sind herzlich eingeladen.

We are thankful towards our primary coaches Andreas Schwartze, Désirée Prantl and Helmut Ortner for their continuous support in the written and oral phase and the ÖH - Österreichische Hochschülerschaft an der Universität Innsbruck for their financial support.

On Saturday and Sunday 02.-03. April we participated in the Belgrad Open Pre-Moot in preparation for the Vis Moot and pleased against the University of Warsaw (Poland), Esade Law School (Spain), LSE Law School (U.K.) and the Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät der Universität Bern (Switzerland).

We are grateful to the ÖH - Österreichische Hochschülerschaft an der Universität Innsbruck for their support and enabling us to further advance the quality of our oral submissions.

On Thursday 31 March 2022 and Friday 01 April 2022 we competed in the Pre-Moot organised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration in Paris in hearings against McGill University Faculty of Law (Canada), University of Liège (Belgium), University of Colorado (U.S.A.) and University of Pristina (Kosovo) and gain confidence in our pleadings in preparation for the Vis Moot.

Our gratitude goes to Greiter, Pegger, Kofler & Partner for their generous support and enabling us to participate in the ICC Pre-Moot on International Commercial Arbitration.

For the past, very work-intensive months we have successfully completed the written phase of the 29th Willem C. Vis International Commercial arbitration Moot Court. Researching and writing 35-page memoranda for Claimant and Respondent respectively with deadlines in December and January has challenged us to effectively analyse and reason in cascading arguments for both merits and jurisdiction. 

Internally we allocated the focus areas in teams of three. Aleksandra Markovic, Katharina Stöbich and Matthias Krivdic were focusing on the material questions asked by Procedural Order N°1 while Fabian Abfalter, Katharina Gächter and lukas Jäger addressed those pertaining to procedure. Following the submission of the Memorandum for Claimant, our counterpart when arguing Respondent’s position was the memorandum submitted by the Peking University of Transnational Law.

We are now very much looking forward to arguing these positions orally.