If you are wondering what it would be like to be a lawyer in practice, then participating in a mooting or mediation competition will give you a good idea.

UNSW Sydney was the first university to offer an elective course in international competitions to our law students. This proud history continues, as each year our best and brightest travel around Australia, and the world, to match wits with their international peers.

The prestigious International Competitions Program will see those selected prepare and conduct a mock case before an international tribunal or mediate in an international setting, with teams participating in some of the following competitions:
 

International Law Competitive Moot (LAWS3086/JURD7486)

Jessup International Law Moot Competition Washington DC, USA
Fictional dispute before the International Court of Justice concerning issues of public international law eg, the interpretation of international treaties & economic sanctions

Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition Vienna, Austria
Determining questions of contract relating to the sale or purchase of goods under the CISG and other uniform international commercial law – in the context of an arbitration

Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot Competition Oxford, UK
Hosted by the University of Oxford; covers intellectual property law, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.

Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition Location TBC
compete in simulations and role play built around a fictitious armed conflict.
 

International Commercial Mediation Competition (LAWS3510/JURD7610)

International Chamber of Commerce Mediation Competition Paris, France
Resolving international business disputes through mediation, guided by professional mediators

IBA-VIAC Consensual Dispute Resolution Competition (CDRC) Vienna, Austria
Resolving an international commercial dispute, based on the Vis Moot problem, through mediation 


Important dates for 2026 competitions

  • Application period for competitions* - 10am Thursday 5 June - 8pm Sunday 6 July 2025
  • Selection interviews – late July 2025 (Moot and Mediation)
  • Orientation session and group training session for all selected students - TBC Week 1 Term 3. Details to be confirmed.


 Eligibility

All law students who are eligible to take electives in their LLB or JD degree can apply for the International Competitions Program. Before you apply, please consider:

  • Students must expect to have completed 78UOC of LAWS courses or 72UOC of JURD courses by the end of Term 3 2025 in order to be eligible to apply. Due to its popularity, selection will be based on a number of factors including academic merit, demonstrated research and/or advocacy skills. Those in their final year of study will only be able to participate if they are prepared to defer a subject and thus their graduation.


Cost
If selected for international rounds, students will be expected to pay for all living expenses, flights and accommodation, the faculty will make a small contribution towards travel and accommodation costs*.

You should expect to pay at least $2,000 - $3,000 depending on the period of time and location of the competition. The allowance does not cover pre-moot competitions, you will be fully financially responsible for paying for all travel, accommodation,entry fees, training sessions associated with pre-moot activities. This may be upwards of $2,000 on top of expenses for the competiton.

Please note

  • Participating in an international moot team is a very rewarding experience but is also very demanding. Since a high level of commitment is needed from all students, you will be expected to adjust work, clerkship and extracurricular activities over the summer semester, as a significant component of the work for the competition will take place during this time.
  • If you are selected for one of the international moot teams, you will be precluded from taking part in any other mooting or advocacy competition over the same period.
  • There are no formal prerequisites for the international competitions program, however, there are courses for each moot that are advisable that you have already completed, or are enrolled in.
  • Applicants who have completed a course in IP Law prior to the end of T3 will be given priority for the Oxford IP moot

Jessup Moot
LAWS3381/JURD7481 Public International Law International Law 

Vis Moot
LAWS3382/JURD7482 Conflict of Laws, and/or
LAWS8183/JURD7583 International Commercial Arbitration, and/or
LAWS2270/ JURD7270 Law in the Global Context 

Oxford IP Moot
LAWS3021/JURD7321 Foundations of Intellectual Property Law, and/or 
LAWS3046/JURD7446 Intellectual Property1: Copyright and Designs, and/or 
LAWS3248/JURD7448 Intellectual Property 2: Trade Marks and Patents, and/or 
JURD7617 Intellectual Property Law 

Pictet Competition 
LAWS3181/JURD7381 International Humanitarian Law

International Criminal Court Moot
LAWS3067/JURD7467 International Criminal Law & Transitional Justice

ICC Mediation Competition
LAWS3314 Alternative Dispute Resolution in Practice and/or
JURD7480Principled (Interest Based) Negotiation

  • If you are currently in your final year, your graduation may be delayed, as your mark cannot be released until the conclusion of ALL competitions in the program at the end of T1, or in the case of the CDRC, the end of Term 2.
  • For teams selected for international rounds, students will be expected to make a substantial contribution towards travel and accommodation costs. Students may be eligible to apply for the Danielle Sirmai Memorial Award ($7000): https://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/scholarships/id/912.

How to apply

Please read the UNSW Law & Justice International Competitions Travel Information Sheet, prior to applying, however it is subject to change. You may apply both for the International Law Competitive Moot and the Mediation Competition.
All applications must be submitted on InPlace within the application period. Any late applicatons will not be accepted.
 

Important Information for selected applicants

Attendance Requirements and Special Consideration 



 

Travel & Accommodation Allowance* 

Domestic competitions

Student domestic travel ($156 per person)  

Student domestic accommodation ($102 per person per night for 5 nights ($513 cap)  

 

International competitions

Student international travel AU$2000 maximum per person (contribution to flight and international train travel costs) 

Student international accommodation maximum of $170 per person per night for 7 nights ($1200 cap) 

Gateway and Indigenous students will have all their travel (economy class) and accommodation costs covered
 

UNSW Law & Justice provides an allowance towards the travel and accommodation costs only. Funds not used for accommodation cannot be used for travel and vice versa – the allowances are capped at the figures stated above. Travel and accommodation expenses over the allowance are to be covered by the individual. All other costs (e.g. visa, passport, meals, all pre-moot fees, travel and associated costs etc.) must be incurred by the team members. 


UNSW Law Society

The student-run UNSW Law Society offers the chance to hone your mooting skills through internal mooting workshops and demonstrations, with competitions designed to cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to senior mooters. You will also have the chance to compete in intervarsity mooting tournaments to prepare you for the challenges at the international level. The UNSW Law Society also organises client interviewing, trial advocacy and skills competitions. These are available to all Law students, irrespective of the stage of your degree.