International Humanitarian Law Moot
International humanitarian law is also known as the laws of war and armed conflict. As a set of rules and principles IHL aims, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.
The IHL Moot is open to JD students in all year levels and first year students are encouraged to participate. Teams consist of 2-3 students: two barristers and one optional instructing solicitor.
The Moot uses one problem throughout the whole competition, giving students ample opportunity to learn from their mistakes to improve their legal and oral advocacy skills.
Preliminary rounds are held at Melbourne Law School, with the Grand Final being held at the Federal Court in Melbourne.
Competition Details
Teams must consist of a Senior and Junior Counsel. An Instructing Solicitor who assists in legal research and preparation of the written submissions (does not speak during the oral submissions) is optional, but encouraged. Team members may rotate positions during the course of the competition so that everyone gets a chance to make oral submissions.
Time commitment: For ALL competitiors, the moot problem will be released 1:00PM, seven days prior to your moot. As mooting is research based, expect to spend some time reading the problem, undertaking some research and preparing for the moot.
Team size: 2–3 members
Number of rounds: 6
Semester 2 Schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the exception of Monday 05/08
Week 3: 05/08 and 06/08
Week 5: 20/08 and 21/08
Week 7: 03/09 and 04/09
Week 8: 10/09 | Quarter-Final
Week 9: 18/09 | Semi-Final
Week 10: 01/10 | Grand-Final
Attire: Business
Delivery: All internal competitions in 2024 will follow an in-person format.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ashqkein Kaur and Harnoor Kaur at ihlmoot@mulss.com
Key Documents
2023 Competitors’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Judges’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Scoresheet - Click here to access
2019 Moot Problem- Click here to download.
Exemplar Submissions- Click here to download.
2023 Training Workshop Recording - Click here to access
2023 Results
Winners Jack Fagan, Fiona Xia and Selina Li
Runners Up Samuel Roussos, Matthew Griggs and Elena Murphy
Congratulations to Jack Fagan, Fiona Xia and Selina Li for winning the 2023 International Humanitarian Law Mooting Competition.
Congratulations to Samuel Roussos, Matthew Griggs and Elena Murphy who were the Runners Up of the Competition.
Thank you to our two co-opts Meriam Terzic and Isabella Scarpato and to all those who participated this year!
Past winners
2023 – Jack Fagan, Fiona Xia and Selina Li
2022 – Kaitlin Jempson, Leilani Wang, Hannah Crispin
2021 – Eleanor Twomey, Jasmine Gan and Jonathan Ta
2020 – Jessica Flatters and Nathan Scott
2019 – Nick Clohesy, Stephanie Douvos and Madeleine Pittle
2018 – Edward Howard, Julia Sheridan and Shilpa Sringar
2017 – Harrie Bantick and James Hogan
2016 – Nikki Hagler, Julia Korolkova and Maria Victoria Downie
2015 – Julia Nikolic, Elizabeth Flatley and Jessica Pergaminelis
2014 – N/A
2013 – Jessica Cao, Stephanie Mercuri and Lucy Nihill
2012 – John Manwaring, Sophie Wade and Brigid McCarthy
2011 – Eamon Kelly and Georgia Boyce
2010 – Nahal Zebarjadi and Emma Poole