About Jessup

Jessup is the world’s largest advocacy competition for law students. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations.

One team is allowed to participate from every eligible school. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case. 

The Jessup 2021 Problem will concern a global pandemic, and the obligations and responses of States with respect to the outbreak.

It will also involve questions of the jurisdiction of the Court, a desperate claim for political asylum by an alleged rogue scientist, and State responsibility for a suspicious aircraft explosion. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ILSA made the decision to change the format and structure of the competition for this Jessup Season.

About the Competition

The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world’s largest moot court competition, with participants from 700 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions.  More than 500 teams have already registered to compete at the Jessup 2021 Global Rounds. The registrations for teams and judges is currently open.

Registration Details

  • A Team may be composed of two to five Team Members who shall be the only individuals contributing to the work product of the Team over the course of the Competition Year.
  • Last date to register and to send in your team roster is November 20, 2020. 
  • Judges registration is also open currently. Returning Judges will need to log in and update their profile. New Judges will need to register using the online registration form.

Important Dates

20 November 2020Deadline for Registration (Online Form and Payment) for all Teams
20 November 2020Deadline for Submission of Team Roster: This is the last day on which teams may submit the names of their team members and advisors.
7 December 2020Anticipated Release of dates and details of National, Regional, and Friendly Competitions.
6 January 2021Deadline for Submission of Memorials.
8 February to 8 March 2021Regional, National and Friendly Rounds.

Contact Details

Questions about registration can be sent to jessup@ilsa.org.

Important Links