About Jessup

The Phillip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition is the largest and most prestigious moot court competition in the world. Students from more than 80 countries and 550 law schools compete each year in regional competitions for the distinction of proceeding to the International Rounds. Held every spring in Washington, D.C, the International Rounds are conducted together with the Annual Conference of the American Society of International Law (ASIL). The Competition is organized by the International Law Student Association (ILSA).

Simulating a fictional dispute between States brought before the International Court of Justice- the judicial organ of the United Nations, the competition requires each participating team to prepare detailed oral and written pleadings, arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case. Thousands of law students from all around the world work yearlong on the Jessup problem, which tackles crucial questions of international law. Only one Israeli team can advance to the international rounds. A national competition is held annually in Tel Aviv for the purpose of determining which school team should proceed. The Hebrew University has participated in Jessup since 2007, and has since claimed the uninterrupted honour of proceeding to the International Championships. Hebrew University students have additionally proved extremely talented in their international performances. In 2008, they achieved sixth place (from approximately 90 teams) in the preliminary rounds, and advanced automatically to the octo-final rounds; whilst in 2009 the Hebrew University team was rated amongst the top twenty-four teams (from approximately 110 teams), and went on to participate in the advanced rounds. Several team members have also been entered on the list of the top 100 oralists, and the team's memorials were graded among the top 15 (11th place in 2008, 13th place in 2009). The 2010-2011 team won all four rounds in the preliminary stages and was ranked 8. The team went to compete in the advanced rounds and for the first time in the school's history has made it to the quarter-finals. Their written memorials were ranked among the top 10 best written submission (10th place). The 2011-2012 team continued this tradition of success, finishing the preliminary rounds in 7th place and its written submissions being ranked 6th. Most recently, the 2012-2013 team equalled the University's record by reaching the quarter-finals of the competition – losing to the competition finalists – in a year in which over 550 institutions around the world participated. For the first time, all the University's oralists eligible for ranking finished in the top 50: David Zlotogorski (36), Ori Pomson (36) and Maya Freund (41). Competition organizers and judges have been repeatedly and deeply impressed by the excellent performance of Hebrew University students.

For more information, see the Jessup site: http://www.ilsa.org/jessup

 
Hebrew University Teams

 

Hebrew University Jessup teams consist of 4 to 5 specially selected students from the Faculty of Law, who spend the year receiving intensive training in International Law. Particular attention is paid to improving research, writing, and litigation skills of contestants under the tutelage of Adv. Tal Mimran and Ori Pomson (2013-2014).

 

After committing themselves to a period of substantial research during the fall semester, the Jessup team prepares written memorials addressed to the International Court of Justice based on the competition’s case (the Compromis). The team then presents oral arguments at the Regional Competition in Tel Aviv, which takes place in February of the competition year. The team who wins the Regional Competition proceeds to the International Rounds in Washington D.C.

 

If you are interested in pursuing an opportunity to partake in Jessup please contact Ori Pomson at: ori.pomson@mail.huji.ac.il

 

 

The Current Team 2014-2015

 

Coaches: Adv. Tal Mimran and Ori Pomson

  

		Talila Devir   Talila is a second year student in the joint law and international relations program at the Hebrew University. For the past year and a half, Talila has been volunteering at the Jerusalem centre for assisting refugees and asylum seekers in realising their rights. Talila studied for two years at an international high school in Costa Rica which is part of the United World College education movement. During these two years, Talila volunteered in a number of programs, including clown care in Nicaragua, providing sports activities for persons with disabilities through the Special Olympics program and teaching Hebrew at the international school. Talila did her military service in a unit in the intelligence branch and also served as a commander in an advanced training course. During her service, Talila volunteered in providing educational assistance in the Mesila centre.
		Tamar Drori   Tamar is a second year student in the joint law and international relations program at the Hebrew University. Tamar studied at the Mevo’ot Irron school, where she participate in the “Eina’im Aherot” program for promoting strengthening of ties between Jewish and Arab youths, which included her participating in delegation to New York. In addition, Tamar volunteered in the Magen David Adom organisation. Tamar served in the IDF Spokesperson Brigade, where she worked in the printed press department and alongside the most senior journalists and editors in Israel. Following her military service, Tamar volunteered for a number of months in a children’s centre in Arusha, Tanzania. In her first year at the Hebrew University, Tamar participated in the Model United Nations society and represented it in competitions. Additionally, Tamar participated in the Department of International Relation’s debate society.
		Danny Rosenblatt   Danny is a third year student in the law faculty. He emigrated from the United States after high school, and following army service completed his bachelor’s degree in history at Bar Ilan University before commencing his legal studies at the Hebrew University. He represented the faculty at the annual European International Model United Nations (TEIMUN) in The Hague during his second year, where he was awarded best delegate. Danny currently serves as a member of the editorial board of Israel Law Review.
		Daniel Shil Szriber   Daniel is an LL.M. student specialising in international law. Daniel graduated from the Law School of the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil. During his studies, he worked as an intern in different Brazilian law offices specialising in commercial law, M&A and arbitration. Additionally, as an undergraduate student, Daniel took part in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot as a researcher, speaker and assistant coach. Daniel was also a co-founder and the first vice-president of the Brazilian Association of Arbitration Students (ABEARB).
		Nir Weintraub   Nir is a third year student at the Law Faculty and has received bachelor’s degrees in international relations and communication. Nir was born in Jerusalem and lived in the United States until the age of 10, when he returned to Jerusalem and where he has been living ever since. Nir did his military service in the Kfir Brigade. During his international relations studies, Nir participated in the International Committee of the Red Cross’ international humanitarian law competition, and two years later coached the Hebrew University team in this competition. Additionally, Nir worked as a teaching assistant in Hebrew University Department of International Relations’ international law course. Nir is currently a member of the Israel Law Review editorial board and has been active in the Law Faculty’s clinic for the rights of persons with disabilities. Nir also works in legal firm which focuses on constitutional and administrative law, in addition to being a research assistant on labour law in the Faculty.

The Current Team 2013-2014

 

Coaches: Adv. Tal Mimran and Ori Pomson

 

		Gali Rosenstein   Gali is a second year student in the law and English literature program. Additionally, she is the deputy head of the Yerushalmiyot women's empowerment organisation and works in the Foreign Ministry's situation room. During her first year, Gali volunteered in the Yotzim Laderch ("Embarking") project, assisting former ultra-orthodox students. Gali served for five years as an officer and a first lieutenant commander in the Army Spokesperson unit, and later in the International Intelligence Cooperation unit. Gali previously volunteered for a year on behalf of the Scouts movement in the moshava of Yavniel and she also participated as a counsellor and in the movement's activities. She partook in a number of youth delegations to the United States on behalf of the Scouts, her school and the Tel Aviv municipality.
		Nitzan (Fisher) Conforti   Nitzan is a second year law student. Nitzan was born in Israel and lived in Los Angeles during her youth, where, in high school, she studied in a program for excellency in English literature and history. She began her army service in 2008, where she served in Army Radio and finished the Army Station journalists' course with excellence. During here four and a half years of service, Nitzan an international news correspondent and editor for Army Radio and she was also editor for the current affairs and news programs. She is married to Itamar.
		Nuphar Gafni   Nuphar is a second year law and business administration student at the Hebrew University. During high school, Nuphar was a councillor in Maccabi T'zair youth movement and was an active member of the Seeds of Peace organisation. Nuphar completed her army service as an officer in the Intelligence Corps and discharged as a 2nd lieutenant. As a student, Nuphar represented the Law Faculty in the annual Model United Nations in Szeged, Hungary and was awarded with the prize for the "best delegation" with her teammates. Nuphar also volunteered in a student project that supports and assists former ultra-orthodox students in their studies.
		Shai Luchtenstein    Shai is a third year law student. He is 26 years of age and grew up in Ramat Hasharon. Shai served as an officer in a recon unit of the IDF armoured corps. During his university studies, he participated in the legal clinic for disability rights and in the European International Model United Nations (TEIMUN) in The Hague. Shai also served as a tutor in the assistance program for students who are not fluent in Hebrew.
		Tomer Treger   Tomer is a second year law and English literature student. In his youth, Tomer studied at the International School in Bangkok, Thailand. Later, Tomer continued to be more interested and active in international affairs and was involved in the Seeds of Peace organisation in the United States and the Tevel b'Tzedek ("The Earth – in Justice") organisation in Nepal. During his first year of studies, Tomer participated in the Hebrew University's Model United Nations program and represented it in competitions. He served for four years in an elite IDF combat unit. Tomer currently translates poetry and literary texts and volunteers in an organisation for empowering youth in east and west Jerusalem.