This year, 73 universities from around the world participated in the competition. After successfully competing in their regional rounds, the 24 best teams from 14 WTO members convened in Geneva.
After three days of intense competition, four teams qualified for the semi-finals: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), Strathmore University (Kenya), University of Zurich (Switzerland), and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine). Ultimately, Strathmore University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv advanced to the Grand Final.
The distinguished panel of trade law experts presiding over the Grand Final was chaired by Mr. Jorge Castro, Director of the WTO Legal Affairs Division, and included Prof. Dr. Peter van den Bossche, and case authors Ms. Iryna Polovets and Prof. Dr. Gracia Marín Durán. The panel also featured members of the Competition’s Academic Board Dr. Jan Yves Remy, Prof. Henry Gao and Mr. Victor Crochet.
The winning team from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv comprised Ms. Yuliia Bulenok, Ms. Oleksandra Mykhailova, Ms. Yelyzaveta Pohrebniak and Mr. Maksym Mykytiuk. Strathmore University’s team consisted of Mr. Mark Gitau, Mr. Alex Kiwara Irungu and Mr. Wayne Sinwa.
Both teams, winners of their respective regional rounds in Lisbon and Nakuru, delivered excellent performances in the Grand Final, showcasing their oral advocacy skills and mastery of WTO law. The WTO warmly congratulates both teams and wishes them success in their future careers in international trade law.
Students and teams were also awarded prizes from the WTO and sponsors of the competition based on the excellence of their written submissions and oratorical skills as follows:
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne: Best Complainant Written Submission
- “National Taiwan University”: Best Respondent Written Submission
- “National Taiwan University”: Best Overall Written Submissions
- Ms. Sophie Martin, University of Zurich: Best Orator of the Preliminary Rounds
- Ms. Yuliia Bulenok, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv: Best Orator of the Quarterfinal Rounds
- Mr. Mark Gitau, Strathmore University: Best Orator of the Semifinal Rounds
- Ms. Alex Kiwara Irungu, Strathmore University: Best Orator in the Grand Final.
Winners of individual and team awards received prizes from the WTO as well as scholarships for courses at the World Trade Institute at the University of Bern (Switzerland). In addition, all participants in the Final Oral Round, including coaches, are eligible to apply for a 50% tuition scholarship to study at Georgetown University Law Center (United States). Georgetown will designate two Jackson scholars each year.
The competition is organized by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA). The WTO has been a technical supporter of the competition since its inception in 2002. The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition is an example of the WTO’s broad support for capacity building.
The recording of the grand final is available here. For more information about the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition, visit its website here.
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