Headed for the world stage: ZJU clinches national first prize in Jessup

The Zhejiang University (ZJU) representative team achieved a landmark victory in February at the 67th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (China Rounds). Following a perfect 4-0 sweep in the preliminary rounds, the team broke into the national top eight to secure a first prize and an invitation to the International Rounds in Washington, D.C. Among the standout performers, 2024 graduate student ZHAO Xiaoyao was honored with the prestigious "best oralist" title.

Commonly referred to as the "Olympics of international law," the Jessup is the world’s oldest and largest moot court competition. This year’s complex legal problem explored cutting-edge issues, including non-party intervention under Article 62 of the ICJ Statute, indigenous rights in land development, the ne bis in idem (double jeopardy) principle in extradition, and the sovereign immunity of state-owned enterprises. The competition required teams to submit comprehensive English memorials for both the applicant and respondent on complex international legal issues.

Led by faculty advisors LUO Guoqiang and DUAN Wen, alongside student coach CHEN Yuxuan, the team utilized a "mentor-mentee" model. Veteran competitors LU Chang and ZHAO Xiaoyao guided seven newcomers—WU Yikang, MEI Xiyue, GU Yue, LI Mingyong, MEI Yujie, WANG Yulan, and LIU Yuntian—through a grueling preparation phase that began two months before the official problem was even released."We recognized immediately that this year’s problem held immense research value but presented significant challenges," the team noted. Confronted with fragmented legal resources and a lack of unified treaties regarding sovereign immunity, the members conducted an exhaustive review of national legislations from dozens of countries, International Court of Justice (ICJ) precedents, and academic monographs to construct a watertight logical framework.

Following five grueling months of drafting memorials, the team transitioned into intensive oral advocacy training. Sacrificing their winter break and continuing through the Lunar New Year, the students engaged in high-intensity simulations.

The team’s dedication paid off during the preliminary rounds. Facing elite competition, ZJU maintained a steady course with rigorous legal arguments and fluent English delivery. Through daily debriefs, they refined their strategy in real-time. "By analyzing our shortcomings after every match, we were able to turn yesterday’s lessons into today’s advantages," recalled ZHAO Xiaoyao. This iterative approach led them to a flawless 4-0 record, propelling them into the knockout stages.

The knockout rounds demanded even greater mental fortitude. The team stayed up through the night to sharpen their rebuttals and pinpoint vulnerabilities in their opponents' arguments. This spirit of solidarity allowed them to navigate the bracket successfully and secure the national first-class award.

The team’s success was bolstered by the unwavering support of the Guanghua Law School faculty. Professors ZHAO Jun, BI Ying, and MOU Luye provided invaluable academic guidance, while counselor YU Long, doctoral student GU Fang, and alumni members XIE Yi and LU Jiaying offered critical logistical and moral support.

The victory stands as a testament to the synergy and "heart-to-heart" cooperation of the ZJU students. By combining a profound foundation in jurisprudence with masterful English communication, the team has set a high bar for excellence.Congratulations to the team on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to their continued success on the international stage.

Adapted and translated from the article written by DENG Yaoyao, DONG Xiaomeng
Translator: LU Yihsuan ('28, Literature)
Editor: JIANG Chenqi ('27, Structural Engineering), HAN Xiao