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)

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 – Live Streaming

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

  • Robert Cimmino, Associate, Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald, LLP (MC)
  • Hamad Al Mazrouei, CEO of ADGM Registration Authority and the founding member and Chairman of ADGM Academy, ADGM
  • Salman Ahmed, Case Manager, BCDR
  • Mohammad Ibrahim Abdulrahim Abdulla, Assistant Professor, College of Law – UAEU
  • Professor Ronald Brand, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg University Professor, Academic Director, Center for International Legal Education, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

9:00 – 10:30

32nd Vis Moot Problem Analysis – Live Streaming

Location:  ADGM Authorities Building, Auditorium

Topics:

In this interactive session, Professor Brand will explain the competing angles of the 32nd 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 – 12:00

Understanding the Commercial Context
Location: Room 7 – Live Streaming
Students will learn about the commercial context of the Vis Moot problem, including the technical implementation of green hydrogen projects.Students will learn about the commercial context of the Vis Moot problem, in particular the technical implementation of green hydrogen projects at the heart of this year’s dispute. This year’s case concerns a dispute arising from the contested termination of a turnkey green hydrogen plant project. The primary reason for the termination of the underlying Purchase and Service Agreement (“Agreement”) by Respondent, a state-owned electricity provider, was a change in the state’s energy policy.

  • Karl Miller, LLM at Birmingham University

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break

Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20

13:00 – 14:30

Breakout Sessions: Claimant’s Argument Development
Location:
Procedural Issues – [Al Reem]
Merits Issues – [Room 7] – Live Streaming
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 – Ghada Arfaoui, Dr. Nadine Hafaitha
  • Applicable Law/CISG Issues– Dr. Iva Grgic, Robert Cimmino

14:30 – 15:00

Coffee Break

Location:  Al Maqam Tower, Level 20

15:00 – 16:00

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 Claimant’s case.

Moderator(s):

  • Ghada Arfaoui, Dr. Iva Grgic, Robert Cimmino, Dr. Nadine Hafaitha

16:00 – 16:30

Phil Ray’s Vis Moot Resource Shortlist

Location: Room 7

Topics:

Mr. Ray will share and discuss the use and history of his famous Vis Moot Resource Shortlist.

Coaches are expected to participate in the Coaching the Coaches session which will run concurrently (see below).

Presenter(s):

Phil Ray

16:30 – 16:45

MENA Arbitration Survey Insights

Location: Room 7

Topics:

Hogan Lovells and Middlesex University Dubai have recently published their first report of the MENA Arbitration Survey, a comprehensive study aimed at capturing key trends, preferences, and challenges in regional arbitration practices. Yasmin Sebah will present the survey findings and share insights into international arbitration practice in the MENA region.

Coaches are expected to participate in the Coaching the Coaches session which will run concurrently (see below).

Presenter(s):

  • Yasmin Sebah

16:00 – 16:45

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):

Robert Cimmino, Sulaiman Rameez

16:45 – 17:00

Wrap Up

Location: Room 7

Presenter(s):

Professor Brand, Robert Cimmino

Day 2

Vis Moot Training – Respondent’s Arguments

Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025

8:00 – 8:30

Registration

Location:  ADGM Authorities Building, South Side Reception (for those not already registered during Day 1)

8:30 – 9:00

Oral Advocacy – Mechanics of an Oral Argument
Location: [Room 7] – Live Streaming
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):

  • Sulaiman Rameez and Robert Cimmino

9:00 – 10:30

Breakout Sessions: Respondent’s Argument Development

Location:

  • Procedural Issues – [Room 7] – Live Streaming
  • 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 – Dr. Nadine Hafaitha, Janis Winkler
  • Applicable Law/CISG Issues – Dr. Iva Grgic, Sulaiman Rameez

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):

  • Dr. Iva Grgic, Dr. Nadine Hafaitha, Sulaiman Rameez, Janis Winkler

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break
Location: Al Maqam Tower, Level 20

13:00 – 14:00

Oral Advocacy – Theory of Advocacy and How to Implement

Location: Room 7 – Live Streaming

  • Students will learn the abstract ideas of persuasiveness and advocacy,
  • How to get comfortable with your voice and style
  • Identifying decisive situations during the submission
  • How to make use of theory during your submission
  • Assign Homework: Prepare a 2 min and a 4 min draft for your Issue which you will present spontaneously
  • during “Oral Argument Speed Test” on Day 3

Presenter(s):

  • Janis Winkler, Robert Cimmino

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] – Live Streaming
Topics:Given the unique nature of this session, it is divided into two following sections:

(i) Mediation Advocacy
A program advisor will, in addition to other topics, discuss the differences between arbitrating and mediating the 32nd Vis Moot Problem, including (1) knowing when to choose mediation as a process, (2) preparing for mediation, (3) the mediation process and its outcome, and (4) how should the mindset of parties and their representatives change when they mediate the case?
14:30 – 16:00
(ii) Mediation Session
Two teams will engage in a mock mediation session with a program advisor acting as the commercial mediator.
16:00 – 17:00
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 is it than an arbitrator’s role?

Presenter:

  • Dr. Aseel Zimmo, Michael Patchett-Joyce

Day 3

Practice Rounds | Oral Arguments – Advanced

Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025

 

8:00 – 8:30

Registration
Location: ADGM Authorities Building, South Side Reception

8:30 – 10:00

Oral Argument Speed Test

Location: Room 7
Students will present an argument (of 2-4 minutes) 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):

  • Dr. Iva Grgic, Dr. Nadine Hafaitha, Robert Cimmino, Sulaiman Rameez, coaches as needed.

10:00 – 10:30

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

10:30 – 12:30

Practice Round 1
Students will conduct a mock round incorporating the substantive lessons and oral advocacy training from the first two days.
Teams:

ROOM CLAIMANT RESPONDENT
Academy 1 United Arab Emirates University University of World Economy and Diplomacy
Academy 2 Institute of Energy Law Studies- University of Tehran Alfaisal University
Academy 3 Alfaisal University Shiraz University
Academy 4 Prince Sultan University College of Law New York University Abu Dhabi
Academy 5 Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth American University of Central Asia
Academy 6 Institute for Energy Law Studies of  Tehran University (East) Hamad bin Khalifa University
Academy 7 Middlesex University Dubai Royal University for Women

12:30 – 13:30

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

13:30 – 15:30

Practice Round 2
Students will conduct a mock round incorporating the substantive lessons and oral advocacy training from the first two days.
Teams:

ROOM CLAIMANT RESPONDENT
Academy 1 Royal University for Wormen United Arab Emirates University
Academy 2 University of World Economy and Diplomacy Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
Academy 3 Hamid bin Khalifa University Middlesex University Dubai
Academy 4 NYU Abu Dhabi Prince Sultan University College of Law
Academy 5 Alfaisal University Institute of Energy Law Studies- University of Tehran
Academy 6 American University Central Asia Institute for Energy Law Studies of  Tehran University (East)

15:30 – 16:00

Oral Argument – 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 improvement.

Presenter(s):

  • Professor Ronald Brand
  • Robert Cimmino

16:00 – 16:30

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):

  • Robert Cimmino

17:00 – 18:30

Arbitrator Roundtable
Location: Room 7
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.

Presenters:

  • Professor Ronald Brand
  • Michael Patchett-Joyce

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 CLAIMANT RESPONDENT
1 Hamad bin Khalifa University – Qatar Institute for Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran (East) – Iran
2 Prince Sultan University College of Law – KSA Middlesex University Dubai – UAE
3 New York University Abu Dhabi – UAE Institute of Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran – Iran
4 American University of Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan Royal University for Women Bahrain
5 Université Saint–Joseph de Beyrouth – Lebanon United Arab Emirates University – UAE
6 Shiraz University – Iran Alfaisal University – KSA
7 University of World Economy and Diplomacy – Uzbekistan Hamad bin Khalifa University – Qatar

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 CLAIMANT RESPONDENT
1 Alfaisal University – KSA University of World Economy and Diplomacy – Uzbekistan
2 United Arab Emirates University – UAE Hamad bin Khalifa University – Qatar
3 Royal University for Women Bahrain Prince Sultan University College of Law – KSA
4 Institute of Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran – Iran American University of Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan
5 Middlesex University Dubai – UAE New York University Abu Dhabi – UAE
6 Institute for Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran (East) – Iran Université Saint–Joseph de Beyrouth – Lebanon
7 Prince Sultan University College of Law – KSA Shiraz University – Iran

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 CLAIMANT RESPONDENT
1 Shiraz University – Iran Institute for Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran (East) – Iran
2 University of World Economy and Diplomacy – Uzbekistan Middlesex University Dubai – UAE
3 Prince Sultan University College of Law – KSA Institute of Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran – Iran
4 American University of Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan United Arab Emirates University – UAE
5 New York University Abu Dhabi – UAE Royal University for Women Bahrain
6 Hamad bin Khalifa University – Qatar Alfaisal University – KSA
7 Université Saint–Joseph de Beyrouth – Lebanon Hamad bin Khalifa University – Qatar

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 CLAIMANT RESPONDENT
1 Institute for Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran (East) – Iran New York University Abu Dhabi – UAE
2 Middlesex University Dubai – UAE American University of Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan
3 Institute of Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran – Iran Hamad bin Khalifa University – Qatar
4 United Arab Emirates University – UAE Shiraz University – Iran
5 Royal University for Women Bahrain University of World Economy and Diplomacy – Uzbekistan
6 Alfaisal University – KSA Prince Sultan University College of Law – KSA
7 Prince Sultan University College of Law – KSA Université Saint–Joseph de Beyrouth – Lebanon

17:30 – 18:30

ICC Presentation and Q&A

Location: Room 7

Sherif Akl, Regional Director, will present about ICC and open the floor to questions

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

9:00 – 10:30

Pre-Moot Quarter Final Rounds (Top 8 teams)

Al Reem

Claimant:        Middlesex University – Dubai (UAE)

Respondent:  Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

 

Yas

Claimant:        University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan)

Respondent:  Universite St. Joseph (Lebanon)

 

Room 6

Claimant:        New York University – Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Respondent:  Institute of Energy Law Studies of Tehran University (Iran)

 

Room 7

Claimant:        Royal University for Women (Bahrain)

Respondent:  American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan)

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:

  • Al-Reem: American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan) VS New York University – Abu Dhabi (UAE)
  • Room 7: Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia) VS University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan)

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, Auditorium / Live Streaming

The Finalists will have the opportunity to compete in a special exhibition round in the ADGM Authorities Building. 

  • New York University – Abu Dhabi (UAE) VS Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

Arbitral tribunal

  • Professor Ronald Brand
  • Michael Patchett-Joyce
  • Fatima Balfaqeeh

16:00 – 17:00

Award Ceremony and Closing Reception

Location:  ADGM Authorities Building, Auditorium – Live Streaming 

Keynote Remarks

  • Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive, ADGM Courts
  • Salman Ahmed, Case Manager, BCDR
  • Professor Ronald Brand, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg University Professor, Academic Director, Center for International Legal Education, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Awards

Best Oralist – Honorable Mentions

Shokhjakhon Khaydarkulov, University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan)

Bokhodir Dadaev, University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan)

Rita Mounzer, Universite Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (Lebanon)

Atena Abdollahi, Institute of Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran (Iran)

Nakisa Salfarifard, Institute of Energy Law Studies – University of Tehran (Iran)

Minhathul Zahreen Jayah, Middlesex University Dubai (UAE)

Inshirah Meer, New York University – Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Chyngyz Sadykov, American University of Central Asia (Krgyzstan)

Faisal Alkhalaf, Prince Sultan University (Saudi Arabia)

 

Best Oralist – Individual Awards

4th Place         Asiyah Bashili, Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

3rd Place        Sarrah Sharafali, Royal University for Women (Bahrain)

2nd Place       Norah Alobaikan, Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

1st Place       Timothy Chiu, New York University Abu Dhabi (UAE)

 

Best Memorandum for Claimant

Prince Sultan University

 

Best Memorandum for Respondent

British University in Egypt

 

Spirit of the Vis Pre-Moot Award

Shiraz University

 

Pre-Moot Social and Professional Leadership Award

Shireen Ahmed, Hamad bin Khalifa University

 

ICC 250 Euro Gift Card – Digital Publication

Shiraz University

 

Internship Award – Al Tamimi & Co

Sarrah Sharafali

 

Internship Award – AlAidarous

Asiyah Bashili

 

Internship Award – Balfaqeeh Advocates & Legal Consultants

  1. Timothy Chiu
  2.  Mariam Al Darmaki

Internship Award – arbitrateAD

Inshirah Meer

 

University of Pittsburg LL.M. Scholarship Awards

5th Place        Sara Almeshari, Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

4th Place         Asiyah Bashili, Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

3rd Place        Sarrah Sharafali, Royal University for Women (Bahrain)

2nd Place       Norah Alobaikan, Alfaisal University (Saudi Arabia)

1st Place       Timothy Chiu, New York University Abu Dhabi (UAE)

 

Winning Team

New York University – Abu Dhabi (UAE)

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