Nearly 70 future lawyers from various Central and Eastern European countries recently gathered at SWPS University in Warsaw. From October 20 to 22, they engaged in intensive preparations for the esteemed Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition. The training began with opening remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, SWPS University’s Rector, Professor Roman Cieślak, and Dean of the Faculty of Law in Warsaw, Professor Adam Bodnar.
Developing legal skills through moot courts
Moot court competitions are simulated proceedings before an international court or tribunal. They typically involve two phases: a written phase, focusing on the preparation of pleadings, and an oral phase, where student teams assume the roles of lawyers representing the parties during a mock trial. These competitions offer law students an opportunity to hone their argumentation and English public speaking skills and gain initial courtroom experience.
The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is one of the most notable moot courts worldwide. It has been held annually in Vienna for over 30 years and draws participants from more than 300 universities and law schools across the world.
Legal bootcamp at SWPS University in Warsaw
Students must prepare thoroughly to participate in such a prestigious and popular competition. From October 20 to 22, SWPS University hosted a bootcamp, i.e. an intensive training for students hailing from 11 universities in Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine. This marked the second time such an event was organized in Poland.
For three days, under the guidance of an international panel of experts, future lawyers analyzed the legal problem for the 31st Vis Moot competition, identified related legal issues and prepared drafts of their claimant's memo. The bootcamp included collective sessions for all participants, as well as workshops where two or three teams worked concurrently.
This approach allowed participants to instantly apply the knowledge they acquired and begin their work on the problem within small groups. Under the trainer's guidance, they exchanged insights related to the case study and tips on crafting effective legal documents Beyond the academic aspects, the bootcamp included two evening networking sessions, forging connections between Polish students and their international peers.
Dominik Horodyski, Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
Dean's Representative for Moot Courts
The training began with opening remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, SWPS University’s Rector, Professor Roman Cieślak, and Dean of the Faculty of Law in Warsaw, Professor Adam Bodnar.
I believe that in the not too distant future the participants of the Moot Court Boot Camp will meet in courtrooms and tribunals around the world, such as the arbitration tribunals in Vienna and Stockholm, the European Court for Human Rights in Strasburg, and maybe even in the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The sky is the limit. But to reach the sky one must have knowledge and professional skills. I am very happy that SWPS University will have an opportunity to contribute to this lofty goal thanks to the commitment of Dr. Dominik Horodyski and the whole team of the Faculty of Law in Warsaw.
quote from the speech by Professor Roman Cieślak, Rector of SWPS University
The training was co-organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Commercial Law Development Program Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
View photos from the opening ceremony
RRector of SWPS University, Prof. Roman Cieślak; photo: Nikodem Szymański
U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski; photo: Nikodem Szymański
Dean of the Faculty of Law in Warsaw at SWPS University, Prof. Adam Bodnar; photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Dominik Horodyski, Ph.D. / Assistant Professor, SWPS University's Faculty of Law in Warsaw; photo: Nikodem Szymański
SWPS University teams participate in international moot court competitions
SWPS University actively supports students who want to engage in moot courts. According to Dr. Dominik Horodyski, the Dean's representative for moot courts in Warsaw, participation in international moot court simulations not only complements the knowledge gained during studies but also significantly impacts the future careers of aspiring legal professionals.
Many international law firms explicitly seek candidates with moot court experience. Based on our students' experiences, participation in such competitions frequently opens doors to internships with top law firms and eventually leads to dream job opportunities.
Dominik Horodyski, Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
Dean's Representative for Moot Courts
In the current academic year, teams from SWPS University will participate in the Vis Moot Competition for the third year in a row, as well as the Nuremberg Moot Competition that prepares students to stand before the International Criminal Court. Last year, our students engaged in a simulation of proceedings and trials before the European Court of Human Rights in the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition.