“I am always pleased to talk about the Jessup Competition, which is the world’s most famous moot court competition and an effective mean to provide practical knowledge on international law to the students,” Yeghishe Kirakosyan, says the coach of Yerevan State University team, an international law expert, advisor at the RA constitutional Court, who has participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition many times, as well as served as a judge in the international rounds.
The moot court competition is being organized in Armenia for already 15 years, by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association in cooperation with the Law Foundation of Armenia and the “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm.
The teams are informed in advance from the organizer the Armenian Young Lawyers Association about the problem (the theme of the competition) which is prepared in Washington by the international law experts, then their applicant’s and respondent’s memorials. The National Competition consists of written and oral rounds. A jury of 3 judges assesses the memorials in the written rounds independently. Then the teams meet in the oral round where a jury of 3 judges assesses their oral skills as well. The winner team of the national rounds participates in the international rounds, which is held in the Washington DC US. Today the oral round of the national competition started.
Advocate Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan, the Armenian National Co-Administrator of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition says that for the first time during the 15 years the Armenian National Rounds are held in English language. “The main objective is that the national winner team will leave to Washington already prepared to represent Armenia in the international rounds. We hope that this year the team will return with tangible results,” she said.
‘One of the important features of the Competition is that the proposed issue of each year covers topical and urgent theme, this year’s theme refers to the sovereignty of states,” Miss Soghomonyan said and added that this year three teams participate in the National Round. Two of the teams have 5 members and one team consists of four members.
Grigor Grigoryan is participating in the competition for the second time. Last year he was member of the winner team, which represented Armenia in Washington in the international rounds, “It’s a great experience, which is invaluable. In Washington we met with professionals who have vast knowledge. This year we came up with more responsibility, and prepared more seriously taking into account the experience we gained last year and the shortcomings that we had. I hope we shall win,” Grigor Grigoryan said.
Mr. Marat Atovmyan, Director of Yerevan Anti-Corruption center was a judge of the preliminary rounds. According to Mr. Atovmyan the teams were well prepared, “My impression from the aspect of proficiency in language as well as the professional skills of the teams is positive. All three judges agree that the team members were well prepared.”
The final round of the National Competition where the winner team is decided will be held tomorrow in the Cassation Court of the RA.
