School of Law to Host International Competition

One of the largest and most prestigious moot court competitions in the world is coming to Mason’s School of Law. Mason will host the Mid-Atlantic Regional Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in February. More than 500 teams from approximately 80 countries take part in this annual competition.

The Mason team consists of third-year students Jesse Coleman, Joe Folio, Elizabeth Bailey, and Marian Lawson, and second-year student Lucy Jewett. Because Mason is hosting the Mid-Atlantic Regional Rounds, the team will compete in another region.

The competition gives participants the opportunity to develop and improve their written and appellate advocacy skills, become familiar with the operation of the International Court of Justice, and learn about the procedure and substance of international law in the context of dealing with timely and difficult international law issues. The 2007 issue deals with state membership in international organizations.

Arguments are held before three-judge panels set up to resemble the International Court of Justice. The panels are made up of judges, attorneys, law professors, and public servants.

The world championship round will be held in March in Washington, D.C.