Experience what it truly means to practise law by taking part in a mooting or mediation competition.

UNSW pioneered the first elective in international competitions, and this legacy continues as our students showcase their talent across Australia and around the world.

2027 Applications:

You may choose to submit applications for both the International Law Competitive Moot and the International Commercial Mediation Competition; however, students will only be selected for one competition.  

Applications will open on InPlace on Monday 13 July. 

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 the following competitions for 2027:

International Law Competitive Moot (LAWS3086/JURD7486)

Jessup International Law Moot Competition Washington DC, USA (March or April) / National rounds held in Canberra (February) 
Handling fictional public law disputes before the International Court of Justice. 

Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition Vienna, Austria (March or April) 
Focusing on international contract law and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).

Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot Competition Oxford, UK (March) 
Covering trademarks, patents, and copyrights. 

Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition Location TBC (February or March) 
Engaging in role-plays and simulations of armed conflict. 

International Commercial Mediation Competition (LAWS3510/JURD7610)

International Chamber of Commerce Mediation Competition Paris, France (February) 
Resolving international business disputes through professional mediation.

IBA-VIAC Consensual Dispute Resolution Competition (CDRC) Vienna, Austria (July)  
A mediation-based competition built on the Vis Moot problem. 


Important dates for 2027 competitions

  • Application period for all 2027 competitions* - 10am Monday 13 July - 8pm Sunday 2 August 2026
  • Selection interviews – Monday 31 August – Friday 4 September 2026  
  • Orientation session and group training session for all selected students - Week 1 Term 3 (date and time to be advised) 


 Eligibility

 Before you apply, please consider:

  • Students must expect to have completed 78UOC of LAWS courses or 72UOC of JURD courses by the beginning of term 1 2027.
  • For CDRC only, these UOC must be completed by the end of term 1 2027.
  • Selection will be based on academic merit, demonstrated research and/or advocacy skills and your application.  
  • Students currently in their final year of study will only be able to participate if they are prepared to defer their program completion, and thus graduation, as results for competition courses will not be released until the end of Term 1 2027, irrespective of your enrolment term in the course. 


Financial Costs: 
The faculty provides financial support for international travel:

A travel allowance of up to $3,200 for airfares and accommodation 

The exception is students competing in the Pictet competition, which provides accommodation, and therefore the travel allowance is $2,200. 

Students competing in the domestic rounds of the Jessup Moot will receive some financial support towards domestic travel and accommodation expenses.  

Students will generally be required to make a substantial contribution, in addition to the faculty financial support, towards travel and accommodation costs and will be required to cover all living and incidental expenses during their trip. Additional expenses may be upwards of $2,000.   

Students will be expected to pay upfront for flights and accommodation, before receiving faculty reimbursement.

Students will additionally be financially responsible for the cost of travel, accommodation, entry fees, training sessions associated with any pre-moot activities that may be required. 

Scholarships:

Successful students may wish to consider applying for the Danielle Sirmai Memorial Award ($7,000). Applications close 15 September 2026.

In the event a student is awarded the Danielle Sirmai Melmorial Award, to support their involvement in an International Competition, they would not be eligible for any faculty financial support. 

Gateway & Indigenous Students: 

Students eligible for the Law & Justice Gateway Plus Program and Indigenous students will have their economy airfare and accommodation costs fully funded by the faculty. (to what is deemed reasonable expenditure)

Additional Financial Support (Needs-Based):

Limited faculty funding may be available to assist students with living expenses including meals, whilst overseas representing the faculty at an International Competition.

Funds may be allocated to students facing demonstrated financial hardship or limited means. Funding is determined on a confidential, case-by-case basis. Please contact Joey Nichols, Director Competitions for a confidential discussion.    

Details on how to apply for financial assistance will be provided to successful students upon selection.  

Other Information:

  • A high level of commitment is needed from all students, and you will be expected to adjust work, clerkship and extracurricular activities over the summer term, 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 competition teams, you will be precluded from taking part in any other mooting or advocacy competition over the same period, unless approved by your coach.
  • 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. For CDRC, marks will not be released until the conclusion of Term 2.
  • There are no formal prerequisite courses for the international competitions program, however, there are courses for each competition that are advisable that you have already completed, or are enrolled in. Please see below for further details.

Suggested Courses:  

If you are planning to apply for an International Competition completion of the following courses is recommended. However, they are not pre-requisite courses.  

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 
Please note, applicants who have completed a course in IP Law prior to the end of T3 2026 will be given priority for the Oxford IP moot 

Pictet Competition 
LAWS3181/JURD7381 International Humanitarian Law

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

ICC Mediation Competition and CDRC
LAWS3314 Alternative Dispute Resolution in Practice and/or
JURD7480 Principled (Interest Based) Negotiation