Vis Moot

The 2024-2025 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is a competition for law students to foster the study and practice of international commercial sales law and arbitration. Students from all countries are eligible (students from over 80 jurisdictions participated in the 31st Vis Moot). The Moot involves a dispute arising out of a contract of sale between two countries that are party to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The contract provides that any dispute that might arise is to be settled by arbitration in Danubia, a country that has enacted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration and is a party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. The arbitral rules to be applied rotate yearly among the arbitration rules of co-sponsoring institutions of the Moot. Learn more at https://www.vismoot.org/.

Read about the 2024-2025 team’s experience here!

2025 Boston Pre-Moot

BU Law is proud to host the the Boston Vis Pre-Moot, co-sponsored by Africa in the Moot. These virtual practice rounds will take place March 29-30, 2025. To reserve your team’s spot or register as an arbitrator, contact Dimitrios Ioannidis, Esq. (ioannidis@rimlawyers.com).

Reasons to Get Involved

  • Learn to determine questions of contract relating to sales transactions in the context of a dispute.
  • Learn to resolve international commercial disputes by arbitration.
  • Engage with students from places all over the world and foster collaborative relationships.
  • Represent BU Law at an international event.
  • Gain hands-on experience in arbitration and receive feedback from experienced arbitration practitioners.

Prerequisite Coursework

The Vis is open to 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLM students. Because the subject matter of the Vis is complex, students applying for the team are required to take certain courses. NOTE: If you are a rising 2L who is considering applying to be on the Vis team when you are a 3L, you are strongly urged to complete the 2L spring course prerequisite during your 2L spring. The selection committee will give priority to 3Ls who took International Business Arbitration or Transactions during their 2L year. If you have questions about these requirements, please contact Jen McCloskey (jataylor@bu.edu).

NOTE: Coursework requirements will be waived for the 2024-2025 Vis team, in recognition of challenging schedules this year. Students should still seek to take some of the courses detailed below, if possible. International Law (JD 927), International Trade Regulation (JD 858), or Transaction Simulation: Int’l Business Collaboration (JD 783) are also good substitutes for the below courses.

Required courses for 2Ls

2Ls applying to be on the Vis team must take International Law Research (JD 707) in their fall semester. 2Ls must also take either International Business Arbitration (JD 980) or International Business Transactions (JD 842) (typically offered in spring, but if they are available in the fall they can be taken then).

Required courses for 3Ls

3Ls applying to be on the Vis team must have already taken International Law Research (JD 707) as 2Ls or must take it in their 3L fall semester. 3Ls must have already taken either International Business Arbitration (JD 980) or International Business Transactions (JD 842) or plan to take them during 3L year, but preference is given to 3Ls who took either the Arbitration or Transactions class during their 2L year.

Required courses for LLM students

LLM students applying to be on the Vis team must take International Law Research (JD 707) in their fall semester. LLM students also have the opportunity, however, to demonstrate that either their work experience or previous coursework satisfies the International Law Research requirement and/or relates to International Business Arbitration/International Business Transactions.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm your availability for all competition dates, which are noted here: https://www.vismoot.org/. Additional pre-moots will likely be scheduled, subject to team availability.

Step 2: Complete the online application. Applications are now open and deadline extended! Complete the online form by October 4, 2024.

Step 2a: Make sure to attach your resume to the application form.