The 2025/26 season of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis Moot for short) has come to an end – and our team from Leibniz Universität Hannover looks back on an extraordinary journey. Months of intensive legal research, dedicated teamwork, and unforgettable encounters now lie behind us.
A particular highlight of the season was our performance at the Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot, which was held from March 15 to 22, 2026, in Hong Kong: Our team was awarded an Honorable Mention for both submitted memoranda. Standing out among the numerous participating universities worldwide fills us with great pride.
In preparation for the main competition, our team took part in pre-moots in Amsterdam, Madrid, Marburg, Helsinki, and Florence to practice the oral pleadings and prepare as best as possible. In addition, we organized our own pre-moot in Hannover, thereby supporting teams from other universities in their preparation.
What distinguishes the Vis Moot from other competitions is the unique community it creates. From the pre-moots to the final rounds, we were able to forge numerous real friendships with teams from all over the world. Whether in Amsterdam, Madrid, Florence, or Hong Kong – connections were made everywhere that go far beyond the competition itself. These experiences remind us: In the hearing room we are competitors, outside we form a global community of future lawyers.
This success is the result of the dedication of all team members: Luca Cot, Sina Elanur Gümüsgöz, Maximilian Jäckel, Jan-Henning Landsmann, Sarah Lidekat, Mia Simecek as well as this year’s coaches Daniel Bosdorf and Julius H. Grotjahn. We are proud of our achievements and look forward to the next moot season.
Special thanks also go to Prof. Dr. Volker Wiese and the team of his chair for supporting the team.
Review of Previous Years
The Vis Moot Team Hannover can look back on consistently good performances in recent years: During the 26th edition in Vienna, the team ranked among the top 64 out of 378 participating teams in Vienna. At the 30th edition, the students of Leibniz Universität managed to be among the top 32 teams and in the past year at the 31st edition even among the top 16 teams.
What is the Willem C. Vis Moot?
In the Willem C. Vis Moot, more than 375 universities from all over the world each send a team to compete with the others in the "Olympics of International Trade Law". The Vis Moot was founded in 1993 by Professor Eric Bergsten from Pace University New York to promote the UN Sales Law (CISG). Since then, the competition has been held annually in Vienna, and since 2003 also in parallel in Hong Kong as the Vis East Moot.
This year, the Vis Moot is taking place for the 34th time and attracts over 1,500 students from more than 370 universities, who simulate an international arbitration based on a fictional case under UN Sales Law. In addition to lots of fun, experience, and comprehensive training in legal writing and oral advocacy, the students have the opportunity to practically prepare for a career as a lawyer and to demonstrate commitment, skill, and team spirit to a high degree.
You can find more information about the Willem C. Vis Moot here.
