Jessup Moot Court Competition
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 theAmerican 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. Usually, 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 demonstrated to be 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 Faculty’s history 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. More 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. Most recently, the 2013-2014 Hebrew University team narrowly lost on a split decision to the finalist team in the competition. 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 (2014-2015).
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 Shannon Kisch at: kischdrs@gmail.com
The Current Team 2017-2018
Coaches: Adv. Shannon Kisch and Yedida Jacobs
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Naama Weiss Naama Weiss, age 24, is a first year student in the joint program for Law and History. She fulfilled her high school education in the ALEH (על"ה) High School in Lod, and grow up in Kefar Ben Non (כפר בן נון) (a Moshav near Latrun). After high school Naama volunteered for national service in the "Machannot Haolim" (מחנות העולים) youth movement, in which she experienced personal growth, and continued and volunteered for army service in which she was part of the "Shechakim" (שחקים) course in the 8200 unit. Additionally, Naama teaches debating in high schools and volunteers in The Movement for Quality of Government in Israel.
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Smadar Dror Smadar is a second year student in the joint program for Law and History. She fulfilled her national service as a Psychotechnical diagnostician interviewer in the recruitment office. Last year Smadar volunteered in the "Briera" (ברירה) and "Paamonim" (פעמונים) organizations. For the past three years she has been volunteering in the "Adopt a Grandparent" project assisting an elderly woman. Additionally, Smadar has began volunteer work for the special committee for the implementation of government information accessibility and the principles of public transparency headed by the MK Stav Shfir.
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Aviel Gordis Aviel is a first year student in the joint program for Law and Amirim (אמירים) excellence program. Prior to his military service, Aviel attended the Ein Prat Mechina (מכינת עין פרת) for academic leadership. He fulfilled his army service in a classified combat unit in the intelligence department. He completed his army service ranking as a major and received Chief of General Staff award of excellence. Additionally, Aviel participated in the Faith to Faith program of the United Religions Initiative.
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Guy Manor Guy is a third year student in the Law faculty, fulfilling a unit in English literature in addition. In his first year at university he interned in the office of a member of Knesset. During his second year Guy participated in the "Law and Theater" workshop, in which he wrote and preformed the music which accompanied the show put on by the faculty's students. Guy participated in an exchange program and studied a semester in the National University of Taiwan. Today, Guy is a teaching assistant in the "Advanced International Law" course.
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Michael Cohen-Ad Michael is a first-year student in the joint program of Law and Sociology-Anthropology. After graduating high school, he went to Shnat Sherut (Service Year) in Migdal Ha'Emek and was involved in educational missions. As part of his National Service, he worked for two years in ASSAF - Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel, in the Advocacy and Support Center. Currently, he is a participant in the HIAS Israel Organization Pro-Bono program of assistance and legal representation for asylum seekers (named after Michael B. Rukin). |