The Preparation Period 

The rights of Indigenous people? To intervene or not to intervene? Ne bis in idem? And what role do state-enterprises play in state immunity? 

In a 17-paged Compromis these interconnected issues between Alekostria and Respondent were thoroughly described. Over a period of 6 months, we had the difficult task of not only drafting a memorial but also preparing oral arguments to persuade the judges of our respective positions. 

During this time, we met twice a week to compare our research, clarify issues, and point each other to new arguments. While the shared work in the “bunker” or library was already a good team activity, we also had the pleasure of going to a Christmas market together and meeting old Mooties from past years to share experiences and get advice.  

In January, we started the “editing week.” One full week of refining our memorials, trauma-bonding, and – most importantly – eating lots of snacks.  

Due to the tight schedule this year, we only had a quick break after the editing week before we had to start preparing our oral arguments. Over the next weeks, we refined our arguments again and again in front of many different judges. Those ranged from Jessup “Alumni” (we already have Qs prepared for you ;)) to professors and lawyers. The mix of different backgrounds gave us a comprehensive overview of different judging styles and prepared us really well!    

The German National Rounds in Trier 

Then the time had come, and we traveled to Trier – for the German National Rounds. We set off together by train. Some were relatively well-rested, while others had just finished putting together their folders for Trier and had only slept for two hours ;)  

We had decided to stay at a hostel that wasn’t listed among the official hotel recommendations. That way, we regularly had hours as a team away from the competition. That was pretty important for taking a breather in between, because the time was extremely intense!  

Trier kicked off with a glamorous Welcome Reception at the Electoral Palace in Trier. There were delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The teams and coaches from all over Germany got to know each other for the first time. But we were all pretty nervous, since the matches were set to begin the very next day. All the teams headed back to their hotels around the same time, because that evening, the opposing teams’ memorials were sent out via email. We threw on sweatpants and sweaters and started reading the memorials together on the hotel bed, discussing them, and working out counterstrategies for the next day. That went on late into the night. We had to force ourselves to actually go to sleep so we’d be fit the next morning. We would have loved to keep researching forever to prepare ourselves... 

Every morning was the same: We hurriedly printed out what we’d worked on the night before at the hotel front desk – and off we went! Two of us had our matches in the morning, and two of us in the early afternoon. Sometimes the judges were fairly calm and their questions were easy to handle; other times it was a so-called “hot bench” that grilled us with questions.  

On the evening of the second day of matches (after a total of 4 matches), the Announcement Dinner took place: First, we attended a panel discussion featuring, among others, the well-known textbook author Andreas von Arnauld. This was followed by a large dinner. Then it was announced which of the 20 teams had made it into the top 8. And sure enough... near the very end, our team was called up! For us, that was already a huge success! The FU – as a relatively small team with relatively few financial resources – had made it into the top 8!  

We drove straight back to the hotel and received the lineup for tomorrow’s opposing team. It was the decisive match for us, one that would determine whether we would be allowed to travel to Washington D.C. We got right to work researching, while our coach decided which pair would compete for our entire team the next day. It was wonderful teamwork! Once it was clear who would be competing the next day, the other two focused solely on preparing their teammates as best as possible. After a few hours of sleep, it was time for the match.  

Unfortunately, we lost the close match in the quarterfinals. We warmly congratulate our opponent - the University of Hamburg - on their victory. That left us in 6th place. Of course, it was sad for us to be eliminated. The saddest part was that we would have been so happy to spend a few more weeks together as a team. We had grown very close.  

After the match, we went out for breakfast together and used our free time to explore Trier (including the Karl Marx statue). In the afternoon, we watched the final match, which was judged by judges from the International Court of Justice, among others. In the evening, we enjoyed the Championship Dinner and the lively party that followed. After leaving the party at 4 a.m. - as the last team ;) - we headed to a bar. It was a lovely evening that we will remember for a long time. 

Our Achievements 

Our team was honored with two awards for our achievements: Best Applicant Memorial and Third Best Memorial Overall. On top of that, we developed our teamwork abilities constructing our case, and our advocacy skills defending it. 

Additionally, we had the opportunity of visiting multiple law firms like Noerr, Hengeler Mueller, White & Case LLP and Gleiss Lutz for helpful preparation sessions. 

We were judged by honorable lawyers, professors, and judges – even from the European Court of Human Rights! 

But most importantly – we have grown together as a team.  

We have so much to be grateful for – for all those late-night moments when we could barely stop laughing as we ran around the hallway of our hostel, armed with folders and laptops, and realized just how incredibly absurd it was that we were researching legal nuances together at 2:30 a.m.  

Acknowledgments 

Our biggest thanks goes to our coach Leonora Erhardt, who was able to orchestrate the different styles of each participant in order to extract the best of us. 

We also thank all the people at Freie Universität and law firms that supported us – by judging, by hosting us, by believing in us.  

And of course, we thank the lovely people at the hotel front desk in Trier for printing things for us every morning without even asking any questions ;) 

 

Thamara Curvo, Maarek Ferry, Hannah Pirot and Bjarne Bachmann