Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am writing to invite you to participate as an arbitrator in the upcoming 12th LL.M. International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition, which will take place in-person the following dates: Thursday, April 3 (opening conference), Friday, April 4 (general rounds), and Saturday, April 5, 2025 (elimination rounds and final).

The competition this year is a mock moot competition in international commercial arbitration under ICC Rules of Arbitration for LL.M. students who are, in general, not eligible to participate in most moot competitions and seek to foster the study of international arbitration for the resolution of international business disputes and investment disputes. The competition alternates every year between a problem involving an international commercial dispute and a problem arising out of an investment protection law or BIT provision. In 2024-25, the problem involves a commercial dispute under the 2021 ICC Rules of Arbitration.

If you are an attorney with experience in arbitration, we need your help to successfully provide students with the opportunity to develop their arbitration skills in an environment that closely resembles an actual international commercial arbitration situation.

Please let us know if you can make yourself available to serve as an arbitrator during the morning or afternoon rounds on Friday, April 4 or Saturday, April 5, 2025 in the morning.  Arbitrators are welcome to volunteer for individual or multiple rounds and will be provided with an advance copy of the mock problem, as well as a memorandum that summarizes the major issues arising from the problem published for the competition.  

If you are available to act as an arbitrator, please send an email to: arbitration@wcl.american.edu indicating:

1. Your first name, last name, and title/organization;
2. Availability:
   Friday, April 4:
   8:45am to 10:45am; 11:00am to 1:00pm; 1:45:00pm to 3:45pm; 4:00pm to 6:00pm (US EST)  
   Saturday, April 5: 10:00am to 12:00pm (US EST)
    
3. If you would like to receive a certificate for your participation.

We hope that you will join us for this wonderful event. By serving as an arbitrator you will not only meet and work with colleagues, but you will also allow LL.M. students to participate in this unique educational opportunity. 

If you have any questions, please contact us via email at arbitration@wcl.american.edu or call us at (202) 202/1321.

With kind regards,

Horacio A Grigera Naón
Director, Center on International Commercial Arbitration

We are in search of attorneys with experience in arbitration or investment law. The following students are not eligible to participate as arbitrators:

• J.D. students, unless they demonstrate substantive experience working in the arbitration practice of a law firm or in an arbitral institution.
• LL.M. students enrolled in universities registered to participate in the Competition.

Professionals interested in participating should note that the organizers of the Moot Competition are unable to provide any financial assistance to arbitrators. The organizers of the LL.M. Moot Competition are extremely grateful for the time and effort arbitrators volunteer towards the success of the event.