Program Schedule – 15th Annual Middle East Vis Pre-Moot

All times are subject to change – please refer regularly to the present schedule.

** Mentioned times in Abu Dhabi time (GMT+4)

Back to 15th Vis MENA Pre-Moot Program Details

3 February 2025Vis Moot Training

Day 1

Vis Moot Training – Claimant’s Arguments

Monday, Feb 3, 2025

8:00 – 8:30

Registration

Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be provided outside the Auditorium.

Location: ADGM Authorities Building, South Side Reception

8:30 – 9:00

Welcome Remarks

Location: ADGM Authorities Building, Auditorium

Representatives from ADGM-DRHC, ADGM Academy, BCDR, CILE, and CLDP will open the program, providing brief introductions to the participating students and the role of the Vis in international law and training law students.

Hamad Al Mazrouei, Chairman, ADGM Academy
Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Abdulrahim Abdulla, Assistant Professor, College of Law – UAEU
Fatema Al Zayed Al Jalahma, Counsel, BCDR
Professor Ronald Brand, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg University Professor, Academic Director, Center for International Legal Education, University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Eric Ives, Attorney Advisor, CLDP, U.S. Department of Commerce

9:00 – 10:30

32^nd Vis Moot Problem Analysis

Location: ADGM Authorities Building, Auditorium

Topics:

In this interactive session, Professor Brand will explain the competing angles of the 32^nd Vis Problem and provide students with critical legal and commercial context for the Parties’ transaction. Professor Brand will use the Socratic method for this session. Students are expected to actively participate.

Presenter:

Professor Ronald Brand

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Centre

11:00 – 12:30

Breakout Sessions: Claimant’s Argument Development

Location:

Procedural Issues – [Al Reem]

Merits Issues – [Room 7]

Topics:

Roadmap development for each issue of the Vis Moot Problem;
Argument(s) development for each issue of the Vis Moot Problem.

This is a workshop where program advisors will assist coaches to guide their respective team through their arguments for Claimant. Students are expected to engage actively in the discussions and develop different levels of arguments on each issue of the Vis Moot Problem.

Moderator(s)/Facilitators:

Procedural Issues – [·]
Merits Issues – [·]

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch Break

Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

13:30 – 14:30

Regroup and Share

Location: [Room 7]

Topics:

Students and program advisors will regroup and meet after the Breakout Session to discuss:
what the students learned from the Breakout Session;
what the students need to know to develop stronger arguments for Claimant;
the issues, the applicable law(s), and the facts of the Vis Moot Problem;
Arguments that need further research;
Strength(s) and weakness(es) of Claimant’s case.

Moderator(s):

TBD

14:30 – 15:00

Coffee Break

Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Centre

15:00 – 17:00

Q&A Session

Location: [Room 7]

Topics:

Program experts will provide a space for the students for an open discussion of the Vis Moot problem.

Coaches are expected to participate in the Coaching the Coaches session which will run concurrently with this Q&A Session.

Presenter(s):

TBD

15:00 – 17:00

Coaching the Coaches

Location: [Al Reem]

Topics:

Effective coaching of a Vis Moot team;
Foundations of coaching a Vis Moot team through oral arguments;
Coach’s feedback to the students;
Developing a schedule with the team;
Team’s expectations and coach’s expectations.

Presenter(s):

TBD

4 February 2025Vis Moot Training

Day 2

Vis Moot Training – Respondent’s Arguments

Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025

8:30 – 9:00

Registration

Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be provided outside the Auditorium.

Location: ADGM Authorities Building, South Side Reception

9:00 – 10:30

Breakout Sessions: Respondent’s Argument Development

Location:

Procedural Issues – [Room 7]
Merits Issues – [Al Reem]

Topics:

Roadmap development for each issue
Argument(s) development for each issue

This is a workshop where program advisors will assist coaches to guide their respective team through their arguments for Respondent. Students are expected to engage actively in the discussions and develop different levels of arguments on each issue of the Vis Moot Problem.

Moderator(s)/Facilitators:

Procedural Issues – [·]
Merits Issues – [·]

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

11:00 – 12:00

Regroup and Share
Location: [Room 7]
Topics:

Students and program advisors will regroup and meet after the Breakout Session to discuss:
what the students learned from the Breakout session;
what the students need to know to develop stronger arguments for Claimant;
the issues, the applicable law(s), and the facts of the Vis Moot Problem;
Arguments that need further research;
Strength(s) and weakness(es) of Respondent’s case.

Moderator(s):
[·]

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Centre

13:00 – 14:00

Understanding the Commercial Context
Location: [Room 7]
Students will learn about the commercial context of the Vis Moot problem, including the technical implementation of green hydrogen projects.

14:00 – 14:30

Coffee Break

Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

14:30 – 17:00

Mediating the 32nd Vis Moot Problem
Location: [Room 7]
Topics: Given the unique nature of this session, it is divided into two following sections:

14:30 – 15:30: A program advisor will discuss the differences between arbitrating and mediating the 32nd Vis Moot Problem, including (1) a discussion of the parties’ interests compared to their positions, (2) the zones of possible agreement (ZOPA), (3) individual caucus practice, and (3) the parties best alternatives to a negotiated agreement (BATNA). How does the parties’ focus change when they mediate the case?
15:30 – 17:00: two teams (volunteers encouraged!) will engage in a mock mediation session with a volunteer program participant acting as the commercial mediator.

Presenter(s):

[·]

Teams will be picked and their roles specified at the end of Day 1. All students are encouraged and expected to share their thoughts at the end of the mediation session. Students may, among other questions, consider answering: were the Parties fighting over the applicable law(s)? Did they adopt a principled approach to settle the dispute? Did the Parties’ initial position and interests change during mediation? How did the mediator administer the mediation session? What is the role of a mediator and how different it is than an arbitrator’s role?

5 February 2025Practice Rounds

Day 3

Practice Rounds | Oral Arguments – Advanced

Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025

8:30 – 9:00

Registration
Location: ADGM Authorities Building, South Side Reception

9:00 – 09:30

Oral Arguments – Transitioning from Written to Oral Arguments
Location: [Room 7]
Topics:

Understanding the advocate’s role
Developing a theme for the case
Developing roadmaps and sub-roadmaps
Addressing arbitral tribunal’s questions
Teamwork
Giving and receiving feedback

Presenter(s):
TBD

09:30 – 10:30

Oral Argument Speed Test
Students will present an argument (of 3-5 minute) in front of the group. Program advisors, coaches, and some of the students will assume the role of arbitrators and ask questions followed by feedback from the group. All students presenting arguments may do so multiple times. Students are expected to practice addressing tribunal’s questions and learn about argument development among other topics.

Presenter(s):

TBD

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

11:00 – 13:00

Practice Round
Students will conduct a mock round incorporating the substantive lessons and oral advocacy training from the first two days.
Location and Teams:

Academy 1 –
Academy 2 –
Academy 3 –
Academy 4 –
Academy 7 –
Al Reem 1 –
Al Reem 2 –
Yas –
Jelfar/Arzanah –

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

14:00 – 15:00

Oral Arguments – Debriefing the Practice Rounds
Location: [Room 7]
Topics:

Advanced oral arguments tactics;
Reflecting on the lessons learned and feedback received from practice rounds;
Areas of improvements.

Presenter(s):

[·]

15:00 – 15:30

Review of Pre-Moot Competition Schedule, Scoring Criteria, and Rules
Location: [Room 7]
A program advisor will review the Pre-Moot Competition Schedule, the Scoring Criteria for the Pre-Moot Awards and the Rules applicable to all teams. All students are expected to make notes and ask for any clarifications necessary.
Presenter(s):
[·]

17:30 – 18:30

Arbitrator Round-table
Location: TBD
Program advisors and available arbitrators will meet to discuss the issues of the 32nd Vis Moot Problem; Pre-Moot Competition’s scoring criteria, rules, and schedule.

6 February 2025General Rounds

Day 4

MENA Vis Pre-Moot | General Rounds

Thursday, Feb 6, 2025

7:30 – 8:00

Team Check-in & Arbitrator Registration
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

8:00 – 10:00

Pre-Moot General Round 1
Location and Teams:

Academy 1 –
Academy 2 –
Academy 3 –
Academy 4 –
Academy 7 –
Al Reem 1 –
Al Reem 2 –
Yas –
Jelfar/Arzanah –

10:00 – 10:15

Coffee Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

10:15 – 12:15

Pre-Moot General Round 2
Location and Teams:

Academy 1 –
Academy 2 –
Academy 3 –
Academy 4 –
Academy 7 –
Al Reem 1 –
Al Reem 2 –
Yas –
Jelfar/Arzanah –

12:15 – 13:00

Lunch Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

13:00 – 15:00

Pre-Moot General Round 3
Location and Teams:

Academy 1 –
Academy 2 –
Academy 3 –
Academy 4 –
Academy 7 –
Al Reem 1 –
Al Reem 2 –
Yas –
Jelfar/Arzanah –

15:00 – 15:15

Coffee Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

15:15 – 17:15

Pre-Moot General Round 4
Location and Teams:

Academy 1 –
Academy 2 –
Academy 3 –
Academy 4 –
Academy 7 –
Al Reem 1 –
Al Reem 2 –
Yas –
Jelfar/Arzanah –

17:30 – 19:00

Networking Reception & Announcement of Quarter Finalists
Location: TBD
Arbitrators and students are encouraged to join this networking event. During the Announcement of the Quarter Finalists, representatives from the MENA Vis Alumni Network will share the work of the Core Committee and invite participants to register for the network.

7 February 2025Quarter-Final & Final Rounds

Day 5

Elimination and Final Rounds

Friday, Feb 7, 2025

8:00 – 8:30

Team Check-in & Arbitrator Registration
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

9:00 – 10:30

Pre-Moot Quarter Final Rounds (Top 8 teams)
Location:

Quarter Final Round 1 – [Room 7]
Quarter Final Round 2 – [Al Reem]
Quarter Final Round 3 – [Al Shaheen]
Quarter Final Round 4 – [Yas]

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break & Announcement of Semi Finalists
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20 across Academy & Arbitration Center

11:00 – 12:30

Pre-Moot Semi Final Rounds (Top 4 teams)
Location:

Semi Final Round 1 – [Al Reem]
Semi Final Round 2 – [Yas]

12:30 – 13:00

Announcement of Finalists
Location: ADGM Authorities Building, Auditorium

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch Break
Location: ADGM Authorities Building, Atrium

14:00 – 16:00

Pre-Moot Final Round
Location: ADGM Authorities Building, Atrium
The Finalists will have the opportunity to compete in a special exhibition round in the ADGM Authorities Building.

Professor Ronald Brand, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg University Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
TBD
TBD

16:00 – 17:00

Award Ceremony and Closing Reception
Location: [ADGM Authorities Building, Auditorium]

KEYNOTE REMARKS
● Eric Ives, Attorney Advisor, CLDP, U.S. Department of Commerce
● Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive, ADGM Courts
● Fatema Al Zayed Al Jalahma, Counsel, BCDR
● Professor Ronald Brand, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg University Professor, Academic Director, Center for International Legal Education, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

AWARDS
● Announcement of the Best Oralist for Claimant presented to the highest scoring oralist according to the scoring sheets calculations in the Preliminary Rounds.
● Announcement of the Best Oralist for Respondent presented to the highest scoring oralist according to the scoring sheets calculations in the Preliminary Rounds.
● Announcement of the Best Memorandum for the Claimant.
● Announcement of the Best Memorandum for the Respondent.
● Announcement of the Spirit of the Vis Pre-Moot Award presented to the team embodying the spirit of resilience and scholarly advancement in the Pre-Moot.
● Announcement of the Pre-Moot Social and Professional Leadership Award presented to the team contributing to the social success of the Pre-Moot and professional development of their peers.
● Announcement of the Best Oralist of the Final Round presented by the Arbitral Tribunal.

Announcement of the 15th MENA Vis Pre-Moot 2025 Final Winning Team and presentation of the Winner’s Cup presented by the Arbitral Tribunal.