A sister moot, known as the Willem C. Vis (East) Moot, is held in Hong Kong just before the rounds in Vienna every year. It is one of the most prestigious moots to compete in, and one at which Deakin has a rich history.

What does it involve?

Students participating in Vis Moot are enrolled in MLL355 International Litigation and Dispute Resolution.

With the support and guidance of coaches and alumni, participants immerse themselves in the moot problem – which combines international trade law with private commercial arbitration.

Participants submit two written memoranda prior to the moot, and then argue their case against other teams from around the world before tribunals in Hong Kong and Vienna.

Why participate?

Not only will you earn a credit point in MLL355 International Litigation and Dispute Settlement, but you will also be involved in one of the most highly regarded competitions in the profession, which is great for your career. In preparing the Moot you will have enormous opportunities to meet with and learn from academics, practitioners and students in this area and have a unique learning experience that inspires your legal career.

How is the Deakin team put together?

We select a team of 4-6 students to take part in the Vis Moot. 

Team selection occurs in the August/September of the previous year (as we commence preparing shortly after the Trimester 2 end of unit assessment and exam period).

We generally continue preparing full-time at our Burwood or Deakin Downtown campus until Easter.

How does the team prepare?

From the outset, students take on the role of legal counsel and argue hypothetical cases before an academic, another student, or a practitioner acting as a judge. Students are expected to undertake legal research and drafting to prepare memoranda and to support their oral arguments. 

Students will be provided exclusive access to the library collections for the Vis Moot Competition and the facilities for mooting at the Melbourne Burwood Campus and Deakin Downtown.

The selected team are coached by experts and benefit from input from some of our many Vis Moot alumni and other successful legal practitioners.

Deakin students at the Vis Moot

Deakin Law School is one of only five universities from more than 360 global competitors to have competed in the Vis Moot every year since it commenced in 1993. It is also one of only four universities to have won the Vienna rounds twice (in 1999 and 2014).

Deakin Law School has also performed well in Hong Kong, having been a grand finalist twice and earning a number one placing in 2017 (from 125 participating teams) in the general rounds.

We have also recorded successes for Best Memorandum and Best Oralist on several occasions.

Useful links

• Vis Moot (Vienna)
• Vis (East) Moot (Hong Kong)