The Vis Moot Team of Erasmus School of Law has once again delivered an unparalleled performance on the world stage of international commercial law. During the 30th edition of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, the team – consisting of Ricardo Perez Munoz, Sakhu Mpofu, Lucia Laloyaux, Zahra Aline, and Stella Kohler – secured fifth place out of 384 teams from 88 countries. To top it off, team members Stella and Sakhu received an Honourable Mention for Best Oral Advocate, a distinction awarded for outstanding advocacy, and the team as a whole received an Honourable Mention for Best Team Performance.
This exceptional achievement by the Commercial Law master's students is a testament to the power of teamwork, the dedication of the coaching team, and the quality of legal education at Erasmus School of Law. This year, the team was coached by Warren de Waegh, Tetyana Makukha, and Juan Pablo Valdivia Pizarro, with the support of main sponsor Linklaters Netherlands and partner Conway & Partners.
More than a competition
The Willem C. Vis Moot is globally recognised as the moot court competition for students aiming to specialise in international commercial law and arbitration. Each year, a fictional dispute forms the core of the case, with teams arguing before an arbitral tribunal in the imaginary country of Danubia. The case demands in-depth knowledge of the CISG (Vienna Convention), international arbitration procedures, and legal strategy.
Ricardo reflects: “Although it requires a significant investment of time and energy, it is a unique and unforgettable experience. You not only learn how to apply the law in a realistic setting, but also meet students from all over the world, many of whom will go on to play leading roles in the field of arbitration."
Intensive preparation
The team began preparations almost immediately after the case was published. According to Sakhu, the tone was set from the very first week: “Our first assignment was to draft a skeleton argument for the claimant. It was a challenging start, especially as we had to familiarise ourselves with both the case and the relevant law at great speed. This was followed by weekly drafting sessions and weekly feedback from our coaches.”
The preparation was further enhanced by participation in pre-moots in Prague, Madrid, Paris, London, and Istanbul. “The experience was almost surreal,” says Sakhu. “One day I was in a lecture hall in the Theil building, the next I was walking through the streets of Madrid, rehearsing my pleading. Every morning began with nerves, but ended in satisfaction and pride. I’ll always remember the late-night chats with teammates at a local café.”
Strength of the team
What made the Erasmus team stand out this year was their exceptional team spirit. Stella explains: “Our greatest strength was the mutual trust we had in one another. We motivated each other, celebrated victories together, and supported each other through tough moments. Whether it was late-night practice sessions or early morning research, we did it together.”
That sense of unity led to a memorable moment during the pre-moot in Madrid. “When we found out we’d reached the quarter-finals there, it was the first time we truly realised what we could achieve as a team.” Lucía affirms that the achievements were built on collective effort: “Without the hard work of our researchers, strategists, and advisors, none of this would have been possible. The Honourable Mentions for Stella and Sakhu are a reflection of the strength and cohesion of the entire team.”
World-class coaching
The team benefited from intensive coaching by three experts, each with their own specialism. Warren contributed in-depth academic knowledge of the CISG, Tetyana guided the team through the technicalities of arbitration, and Juan Pablo enriched the learning process with his experience as a practitioner.
Stella shares: “Every Wednesday we submitted our drafts, Thursday we received detailed feedback from at least two coaches, and Fridays were dedicated to feedback sessions—sometimes in the form of friendly debates, other times as necessary wake-up calls.” This coaching also made a difference during the competition itself. “We did our first pleading in Vienna without a coach present. For the second round, Warren joined us. His presence and immediate feedback gave us renewed focus and confidence. That round turned out to be our best,” says Stella.
Value of our partners
According to Zahra, the support of Linklaters Netherlands and Conway & Partners played an essential role in the team’s success, “Conway & Partners organised a brainstorming session during the early stages, and Linklaters made their offices available for joint sessions with another team. They also helped us edit our memoranda and provided valuable substantive feedback.” The pre-moots, made possible through sponsorship, were not only legal training sessions but also opportunities for international exchange. “They were encounters that enriched our experience in Vienna and prepared us for various styles of arbitration,” Zahra explains.
Reward for hard work
The recognition received by Stella and Sakhu—an Honourable Mention for their oral advocacy—was an emotional moment for the entire team. “When Sakhu’s name was announced, the whole team cheered, joined by the new friends we had made along the way. When my name followed, I sat there smiling in quiet disbelief,” Stella recalls.
For the team as a whole, the recognition is more than a personal success. “It shows what’s possible when a group is fully committed to a shared goal,” says Lucía. Ricardo adds, “It’s a legal, cultural, and personal experience that will stay with us for life.”
- More information
Click here for more information about the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.
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