After a few years of absence, the University of Sheffield proudly returned to the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition for its 2024–2025 edition. Jessup is the world’s largest and most prestigious mooting competition, dedicated to international law. It is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.
Representing Sheffield this year were five outstanding final-year undergraduate students: Jemima Ali, Oliwia Michta, Patanjali Sekhar, Sanha Gehlot, and Simran Soor. The team prepared under the academic guidance of Dr Anna Ventouratou, Lecturer in International Trade Law, and was supported by Ms Chantal Touma, a final-year MA Law student who served as Assistant Coach.
This year marked a record-breaking edition of the competition, both nationally and globally. In the UK, 28 teams registered—double the number from 2022—while more than 800 teams from 104 countries and jurisdictions participated worldwide. The 2024–2025 case, The Case Concerning the Naegea Sea, tackled a range of complex and timely issues, including the conditions under which the ICJ can be seized of a dispute; universal jurisdiction and accountability for international crimes; immunities of state officials and property; sea-level rise and maritime entitlements; and recognition of governments in international law.
Our team’s written submissions were among the strongest in the UK National Rounds, which took place at Lincoln’s Inn in London from 21st to 23rd February 2025 The Applicant memorial ranked 6th out of 24 competing institutions, while the combined score of the Applicant and Respondent memorials placed the team 10th overall in the written submissions rankings.
In the oral rounds, the team delivered a solid performance in a highly competitive field. Special congratulations go to Oliwia Michta and Patanjali Sekhar, who were recognised among the top 50 oralists in the UK. While the team didn’t advance to the White & Case International Rounds in Washington, D.C., their efforts marked a powerful and promising return for the School of Law to the Jessup stage, renewing its strong tradition in international mooting.
Preparation of the Jessup takes place under the umbrella of the International Mooting Module. It is a particularly intensive and challenging academic activity and selection is highly competitive. Selection is based on a motivation letter and interview with Dr Anna Ventouratou (the module convenor) and Dr Sotirios Lekkas (convenor of the Foundations of International Law module). Each team consists of 2 to 5 law students and our School gives priority to final-year undergraduates and second-year MA students.
Interested in joining next year’s team? Keep an eye out for the information session in late Spring 2025 and the official call for applications in September. We’re excited to continue building on this year’s success—and we can’t wait to see what next year’s team will achieve!