Jessup Returns to Qualifying Format with a Number of Record-Breaking National Rounds

Students will address issues surrounding human rights on the internet, data theft, the succession of part of a nation's territory, election interference and more in the world’s largest moot court competition

Global law firm White & Case LLP announced that the 2022 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition will return to its original competition format requiring teams to participate in qualifying rounds prior to advancing to the White & Case International Rounds. Reflecting the current COVID situation, while some National Rounds will take place in person, the International Rounds will be virtual. 

Due to the global pandemic, last year's competition invited all teams to participate in a single global virtual competition. This year will return to the qualifying round format with a number of firsts, including the largest national rounds yet expected in Belgium, Guatemala, Malaysia and Portugal. Albania will host its first national round and a team from Sudan will compete for the first time. 

"The Jessup builds many valuable life-skills, and in particular opens the door to oral advocacy for students across the globe," said White & Case partner Jacquelyn MacLennan, who leads the Firm’s Global Pro Bono Practice. "It is a vivid demonstration that the commitment to international legal education and the rule of law remains strong, and is further strengthened with each new group of Jessup students."

The competition, administered by the International Law Students Association, requires students to present oral and written arguments on a hypothetical international law case before a simulated International Court of Justice.

Teams will compete in more than 50 national and regional competitions to earn the right to represent their countries at the White & Case International Rounds, where they will vie for the top prize—the Jessup World Cup. 

White & Case has been a Global Partner of the Jessup since 2007 and sponsor of the White & Case International Rounds since 2010. This year, the Firm is also supporting 11 qualifying rounds. The Firm's offices in Germany and Poland are providing individual team support. 

Below are the dates for the White & Case–supported rounds: 

• Belgium: to be determined
• Brazil: Feb. 17 – 20
• Canada: Feb. 7 – 12
• China: March 4 – 8
• France: March 3 – 5
• Georgia: Feb. 12
• Japan: Feb. 11 – 13
• Mexico: Feb. 21 – 25
• Russia: Feb. 7 – 20 
• South Africa: March 5        
• United Kingdom: Feb. 11 – 13
• White & Case International Rounds: March 24 – April 10

The importance and scope of the Jessup are portrayed in an award-winning, feature-length documentary film, ALL RISE: Journeys to a Just World. The film follows seven law students on their journey through the Jessup season. ALL RISE, which premiered at the United Nations, was selected for film festivals in the United States and the United Kingdom, and has been screened at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Library of Congress and a number of international law conferences. In 2019, the film was made available for screenings by all participating Jessup teams and administrators worldwide; more than 200 screenings have been held in 54 countries to date. For more details on the film, and to view the trailer, please visit www.allrisemovie.com.

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