Willem C. Vis International Commercial Moot Court Competition is one of the most distinguished moot competitions in the world. It has been held every spring since 1994 in Vienna, Austria, attracting more than 300 universities from all over the world to participate. Since 2003, its Willem C. Vis (East) Moot ("Vis East") has been open in Hong Kong and has developed into the largest Moot court for international commercial arbitration after the Vis Moot held in Vienna, with about 130 teams participating last year. Vis East and Vis Moot share a common set of case and arbitration rules, but the two events are independent of each other and therefore require separate registration and filing of petitions.

CESL Vis Team finished the recruitment work at the end of September. On the day before the National Celebration Vacation, CESL Vis Team had the first warm-up gathering at the International Exchange Center A406, the new “headquarters” for the team.

It seems like a new and auspicious start with eight team members being selected from over 30 very strong applicants. From the standing row to sitting row, we have Li Xiaocong, Chen Kuan, Kuang Yuqian, Zhao Ziwei, Fang Guimin; Fei Teng, Yang Youquan, Cheng Shuhan, Jia Shuxian; Gao Xujun, and Gou Xiaodan. And (researchers) will also be our strong companions.

The team looks familiar. Several students had moot competition experience before, but most are “newbies” looking forward to their first experience in a moot competition. Our student coaches are Fei Teng, Yang Youquan and Cheng Shuhan, who were also CESL’s 28th Vis Team members last year. Whats more, Professors Monty Silley, Susan Wintermuth, and Monika Prushinowska will continue to serve as mentors to guide and help with the training of team members.

Our team will first take part in the CIETAC Cup Moot Court withthe oral rounds taking place between 28 Nov. to 1 Dec. 2021. All of CESL wishes them good luck!