Tips for Vis Moot Participants

1. Teamwork

Make the most out of the interaction with your team mates. Discuss arguments within your team, challenge each other, create logical arguments by putting different minds to work on the same legal question, celebrate the successes, and share your feelings in failure. Your team members are on the same boat as you and they are in the best position to help you. The team is at its best when it creates something together.

2. Structure

Build a storyline that is consistent, logical, and structured. Your pleading tells the arbitrators what happened, why you are arguing the case, and how they can solve the complicated matter before them. In order to achieve this, you tell the arbitrators the story of the case with your client’s best interests in mind. A good story will be clear and will keep the arbitrators interested by breaking the story in smaller parts (signposting). However, like all stories, you have to be prepared to keep it alive. Be prepared to change narratives. Tell the short version of the story or the lengthier one. Add and delete details. Bonus tip: the best storytellers are prepared to tell their stories in one minute.  

3. Advocacy

There is no single universal answer to the question of what makes a great advocate. However, I believe that a great advocate is one who is ready to assist. In the Vis Moot, arbitrators are often looking for assistance. They expect the advocate to show them the relevant laws/rules applied to the facts of the case. In order to do this you must show availability, credibility, and confidence. Be available to answer questions and show the arbitrators why your client is right. Never lose credibility. It is better to say that you do not know the answer to a question than to make up an answer that makes you lose credibility. Be confident when laying down your arguments. You and your team have put in a lot of hours studying the problem and the legal issues — you are the expert in the room.  

4. Friendship

For me, Vis Moot was the best student experience. Above all, Vis Moot gave me friends for life. It is not unusual to meet people in a professional context today and notice that we were both doing Vis Moot during the same year. My last tip is to make friends and have fun.