The 8th Annual Middle east Vis Pre-Moot Program Status Update

About the Vis Moot Purpose: The goal of the Vis Arbitral Moot is to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes through its application to a concrete problem of a client and to train law leaders of tomorrow in methods of alternative dispute resolution. The Moot is designed to be an educational program with many facets in the form of a competition. It is not intended to be a competition with incidental educational benefits.

About the Middle East Pre-Moot Program Purpose: To foster the development of international commercial arbitration in the Middle East region, and to train the next generation of international commercial arbitration experts, lawyers, and arbitrators.

Program History Formalised in 2011 between four resource partners: CLDP, BCDR, CILE, and UNCITRAL Originally four team participated: University of Bahrain, Qatar University, Sultan Qaboos University, and United Arab Emirates University Since then: University of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates University, Sultan Qaboos University, Qatar University, Baghdad University, Faculty of Legal, Political, and Social Sciences, Kuwait International Law School, Dar Al Hekma University, Iraqiya University, Alexandria University, Allame Tabatabai University, Al- Nahrain University, University of Jordan, Royal University for Women, Holy Spirit of Kaslik University, American University of Afghanistan, Kabul University, Kateb Univeristy, Herat University, Tabesh University, Nangarhar University, Kardan University, Dunya University, Karwan University

Program History Bahrain Qatar Afghanistan Lebanon Egypt Jordan Saudia Arabia Kuwait Iraq Iran Tunisia Oman United Arab Emirates

By The Numbers: The number of students trained in the Middle East Vis Pre Moot Program since 2011 341 The total number of teams to have participated since 2011 24 The growth rate of the program by number of teams from 2011 until 2017 250% Percentage of program graduates who are women 68%

Program Structure Phase 1: Team coaches from universities around the region gather for a training on international commercial law and arbitration, and establish drafting deadlines and coaching strategies Phase 2: Coaches oversee the drafting process for Claimant and Respondent Memoranda, with support from the Vis Mentor Committee Phase 3: Teams gather for another training on oral advocacy, and compete in the Middle East Pre-Moot competition Phase 4: Teams travel to Vienna to compete in the annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court

Primary effect of participating the vis moot A profound educational experience for your students.

Secondary effects of participating in the vis moot “To foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes through its application to a concrete problem of a client and to train law leaders of tomorrow in methods of alternative dispute resolution.” “To foster the development of international commercial arbitration in the Middle East region, and to train the next generation of international commercial arbitration experts, lawyers, and arbitrators.”

Secondary Effects of Participating in the Vis moot Advances uniform application and harmonized interpretations of the CISG; Promotes the UNCITRAL Model Arbitration Law and the use of arbitration as a form of dispute resolution; Provides a highly effective method of teaching comparative law and promoting the convergence of common law and civil law backgrounds; Opens doors for women in the practice of law and equalizes gender representation in the legal profession; Connects talented students with practicing arbitrators and increases students’ opportunities for employment.

Taking the Middle East Vis Moot Forward The most important indicators for the Middle East Vis Pre-Moot’s success are not the student scores; Most important indicators are: Growth – how many new schools participate in the training and the competition? Sustainability – how consistently do schools return to the training? Curriculum Development and Resource Allocation – do schools take steps to formalize the program at their institution? Alumni Employment and Other Opportunities – do program alumni find jobs in the international arbitration sector?

Tracking Program Impact Growth – Middle East Pre Moot has grown by 250% since 2011, and has expanded its geographic reach as well. Sustainability – The Program increased its rate of participation among teams between 2011 and 2017, welcoming returning teams as it added new ones and replaced teams that dropped out Curriculum Development and Resource Allocation – Several participating schools have begun developing and/or have taken steps towards implementing international commercial arbitration/dispute resolution curriculums Program alumni report high rates of employment in the international commercial arbitration sector, and credit their participation in the program with furthering their career opportunities Gender – a majority of the program alumni are women, furthering the representation of women lawyers in arbitration field in the region

Much more than “just a Coach” What can you, as a coach, do to further these critical secondary effects so that… …a team continues at your school even when you are gone? …the students encounter greater opportunities in the field after their participation? …your school continues to participate in the program, even though leadership might change in the future?

What does the Middle East Vis Pre-Moot 2027-2028 Look like?