On 28^th of April 2018, the Tsinghua University School of Law Invitational International Arbitration Moot successfully came to a close, after two days of intense competition.

Fudan University attained the highest scores for the first round on the morning of 27^th April, successfully entering the semi-finals alongside teams from Peking University School of Transnational Law, China University of Political Science and Law, as well as Renmin University Law School.

After a successful semi-finals match on the afternoon of 27^th April, Fudan University entered the finals, to face a formidable competitor: China University of Political Science and Law. 

（Photo: The finals of the 2018 Tsinghua University School of Law International Arbitration Moot）

The finals took place on 28^th April, at the moot court of Tsinghua University School of Law. Throughout the finals, both teams were evenly matched, displaying a deep understanding of the law and well-honed skills of mooting. Ultimately, the panel of arbitrators consisting of Madam Zhang Yuejiao, Director of the Tsinghua University School of Law International Arbitration Program and a former member of the Appellate Body of the WTO, Professor Albert Jan van de Berg, a world renowned academic from Erasmus University Rotterdam, as well as Madam Li Yongsha, Deputy Director of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Commerce, declared Fudan University to be the champion of the moot.

In March 2018, after receiving an invitation to participate in the competition from Tsinghua University school of Law, Fudan University selected a team of five students. Associate Professor Lu Zhian was the team coach responsible for leading the team. The team was also mentored by assistant coaches Hu Qiankang and Cao Xiaoyue, undergraduate students from the class of 2015. The team members consist of: graduate student Ye Ziyi, undergraduate students Liu Zhongjun and Wu Hantao, as well as exchange students from the National University of Singapore, Goh Ting Xuan Beverly and Lim Xin Wen Kimberly. As the team only had five weeks to prepare for the competition, the team began intensive preparations immediately after being formed. Throughout the preparation, the team displayed commendable team spirit and unity. They put in their utmost best in researching, analyzing cases, refining their arguments and honing their mooting skills. The team never stopped searching for answers, asking questions, debating, refining, innovating and improving. Eventually, not only did the team deepen their understanding of the moot problem, they also strengthened their ability to apply the law and sharpened their mooting skills, putting them in good stead to attain the champion position. 

(Photo: Dean of Tsinghua University School of Law and Deputy President of CIETAC Arbitration Court handing out the award to the Champion)

The Tsinghua University School of Law International Arbitration Moot was organized by Tsinghua University School of Law and supported by China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. The arbitration moot is targeted at all Law Faculties in the country. Adopting the rules of ICSID Convention, participants in this moot were required to persuade, debate and respond to queries by the arbitral tribunal in accordance with the stipulated facts. First held in 2017, this competition is in its 2nd run and has attracted the participation of 13 top-notch universities, including Tsinghua University, China University of Political Science and Law, Renmin University, Wuhan University, Jilin University, Xiamen University, Peking University School of Transnational Law, Shandong University, Sichuan University, East China University of Political Science and Law, Fudan University and universities from Taiwan region such as National Taiwan University and National Chengchi University. 

(Photo: Group Photo taken after the competition)

Achieving first place in this competition would not have been possible without the combined efforts from teachers and students. Associate Professor Lu Zhian, who led the team in this competition, acknowledges that apart from the strong determination displayed by all members of the team, professional guidance and support from the faculty was also crucial in the team’s achievement, including Professor Sun Nanshen, Professor Chen Li, Professor Ma Zhongfa, Associate Professorial Fellow Chen Li and Associate Professor Liang Yong. Their unwavering support to the team was instrumental in boosting the confidence of the team and educating the team in the relevant legal issues and controversies.

Graduate Student Ye Ziyi expresses her gratitude to the Law School for upholding its aim to educate its students to know the law, economics and be fluent in the English, which has provided her a strong foundation for this competition. This competition has provided her and her teammates the opportunity to compete with leading universities and enrich their knowledge on the relevant legal issues, strengthening their legal and advocacy skills, which would pave the way in developing their legal career.

Author: Cao Xiaoyue, Wu Hantao; Translators: Goh Ting Xuan Beverly, Lim Xin Wen Kimberly