The Vis Moot is an educational experience built around a competition and is designed to teach students about international commercial arbitration and international commercial sales law.

The Vis Moot competition itself consists of two separate phases: First, the written submissions and secondly, the oral arguments.

The Vis Moot problem is released in the first week of October and teams have two months to submit the first written submission: a 35-page memorandum written on behalf of the Claimant in the dispute. Following this submission, teams then have one month to submit the second 35-page memorandum, this time written on behalf of the Respondent in the dispute. Each team has to submit both a Claimant’s and a Respondent’s memorandum. About two months after the submission of the Respondent’s memorandum, the teams meet in Vienna, Austria, to compete in the oral round of the Vis Moot (generally the week between Palm Sunday and Easter on the Christian calendar). The oral arguments in Vienna last between four and six days. In preparation to the finals in Vienna, the teams have the possibility to visit Pre-Moots all around the globe.

Applicants must be law students at the University of Linz in the second study section. We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are eager to work in a team. Knowledge of legal aspects in Arbitration and International Sales Law is not essential.

The application period for the Vis Moot 2019/2020 is open until July 31, 2019.

The application form is available here, opens a file.

Why apply?

First, you will be given the opportunity to compete before the most renowned arbitration practitioners and legal academics. You will get the chance to socialise with students from all over the world. Moreover, you get the possibility to get in touch with various law firms.

Secondly, you will get the chance to take part in a competition that will help you develop legal knowledge and presentation skills. In addition, you will learn how to deal with complex cases inspired from real life and you will improve both your legal vocabulary and your writing skills in English.

Moreover, participants will receive 12 ECTS for taking part in the Moot and get the chance to submit a shortened diploma-thesis. 

Nevertheless, if you are thinking of applying, please be aware that taking part in the Vis Moot is time-intensive and includes the drafting of two written memoranda. Each memorandum consists of 35 pages. Furthermore, the oral phase requires frequent oral advocacy training, including trips to various Pre-Moots in Europe to prepare for the finals in Vienna.