The 22nd University of Bonn Willem C. Vis Moot Team, 2014/2015

What is the Vis Moot? • An international mooting competition • International in the sense that approximately 300 universities

from roughly 70 countries are represented in the Vis Moot • International in the sense that the applicable law is international

commercial law, specifically: • Convention on the International Sale of Goods („CISG“)• Principles of International Commercial Contracts („PICC“)• UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration

(„UNCITRAL Model Law“). • International in the sense that the moot is conducted in English

What is the Vis Moot? • The Vis Moot problem simulates a fictitious commercial

dispute arising out of a sales contract between two (or three) business entities. The dispute takes place before an Arbitral Tribunal (the relevant institution rotates each year) • The competition procedures are therefore a little less formal:

• There is no bowing to judges, honourific titles used etc. • Advocates sit when presenting rather than standing at a lectern

• All teams go to Vienna, there are no qualification rounds. • As a result the moot in Vienna is a huge spectacle with 1000s of

attendees.

Where is the Vis Moot held?• The Vis Moot takes place in Vienna, Austria • The mooting rounds themselves take place primarily at the

University of Vienna‘s ‚Juridicum‘ and local law firms• Since 2004 a parallel Vis Moot East has taken place in Hong

Kong• University of Bonn competed for the first and only time in

2012/2013• Many pre-moots are organised by various organisations

leading up to the Vis Moot• Last year pre-moots took place in the following cities, inter alia:

• Paris, New Delhi, Miami, New York, Belgade, Pennsylvania, Rio De Janeiro, Warsaw, Malibu, Pristina, Tbilisi, Riga, Sofia, Washington D.C, Edinburgh, Shanghai, Den Haag, Prague, Brussels and Ljublijana

When is the Vis Moot • Prior to the moot problem being released, the Bonn Moot

School will take place over the summer holidays• 20-25 September 2015

• The Vis Moot is split up into 3 separate stages (last year‘s dates) 1. Claimant‘s Memorandum: 3.10.2014 – 11.12.2014 (10 weeks)2. Respondent‘s Memorandum: 16.12.2014 – 22.01.2015 (6

weeks)3. Oral Hearings: 28.03.2015 – 02.04.2015 (1 week)

• Pre-Moots commence early February and are held right up until the Vis Moot proper

Why Moot? • Travel • Participating in the Vis Moot will provide you with the

opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally • Traditionally the University of Bonn has taken part in 3 pre-moots, in

addition to the Vis Moot in Vienna • 1 in Germany, 1 in Eastern Europe and 1 in an English-speaking country

Tbilisi Pre-Moot, Georgia

Sightseeing Climbing up to the ‚Georgian Mother‘ statue

Georgian restaurant Enjoying the local hospitality

Friendly locals Partying, Georgian style!

Arbitration Conference

With guest speaker, Gary Born!

Tbilisi Pre-Moot rounds

Tbilisi Pre-Moot Dinner

Sightseeing Exploring the Narikala Castle ruins

New York Pre-Moot

SighteeingMaking the most of the NY snow.

Midtown, NY

Fordham University Pre-Moot, NY

Sightseeing Brooklyn Bridge by sunset

Statan Island Ferry

Vis Moot, Vienna

Professor Fletchner performs his infamous ‚CISG song‘.

Vis Moot General Rounds

Debrief with Professor Lehmann in the ‚Dachgeschoss‘

CMS Veranstaltung Justiz Palast

Vis Moot Awards Banquet

Why Moot? • Professional Networking • Participating students will have regular contact with 3 professors

during the written stage of the competition • Professor Dr. Matthias Lehmann, Professor Dr. Moritz Brinkmann and

Professor Dr. Köndgen • A large part of the preparations for the Oral Hearings in Vienna

involves practice moots held at law firms in Frankfurt, Bonn, Köln and Düsseldorf • Last year we visited a record 18 law firms

Oppenhoff Moot School

Linklaters Practice Moot with the Münster Team

Görg Practice Moot

Redeker Practice Moot

Gift packs from the firms

Why Moot?• Opportunity to immerse yourself in the English language in a

legal capacity with an Australian lawyer • Learn to write and speak English at the level of a lawyer

Why Moot? • Learn valuable teamwork skills and build long-lasting

friendships

Why Moot? • Learn to speak freely and improve your presentation skills

Mooting with Sir Anthony (English Queen‘s Bench division) Evans in the panel, amogst other distinguished panelists

How to apply?• What should I include in my application?

(1) Your grades and any relevant certificates: • ‚Abiturzecugnis‘• ‚Zwischenprüfungszeugnis‘ or an up-to-date overview of your marks

which is available for printing from BASIS • Any other relevant qualifications or certificates• E.g. language certificates, internship, debating or public speaking

participation certificates

How to apply?(2) Your resume (C.V):

• Maximum length is 2 pages, written in English

(3) Letter of Motivation • Maximum length is 2 pages, written in English

• NOTE: Information concerning the application process is available online on the Uni Bonn Vis Moot homepage

How to apply? • Who do I send my hard-copy application to? • Address your application to Prof. Dr. Mathias Lehmann and hand

it in to Frau Fabricius (IPR Sekretärin) • Either hand it personally to Frau Fabricius (Room 208, 2nd floor of

the Ostturm) or drop it in the IPR-Institut‘s postbox located in the hallway next to the Dekanat

• Who do I send my electronic-copy application to? • Address it to Mr Michael Neumeier, and send it to the following

email address: mootcourt@jura.uni-bonn.de• Further questions regarding the Vis Moot? • I will be in Australia between 13 May – 1 July, but I am happy to

answer any of your queries per email.

Importan dates THIS SEMESTER

• Application due date: 8 June 2015 • Vis Moot interviews: 15 - 19 June 2015• 10-15 applicants will be invited for an interview

• 2-6 students will be selected

• Bonn Moot School: 20 - 25 September 2015 • Problem released: 5 October 2015

Application deadline: 01.06.2015

Questions and Answers

jura.uni-bonn.de/mootcourts