Program Schedule - 16th Annual Middle East Vis Pre-Moot

16th Annual Middle East Willem C. Vis Pre-Moot Agenda

Event Dates: February 8-12, 2026

Location: Royal University for Women (RUW), Kingdom of Bahrain
Access: Gate Number 3, Building C
Map: View Location on Google Maps

Time Zone: All times mentioned are Bahrain Standard Time (GMT+3)

* Schedule is subject to change

Day 1 (8 Feb 2026)

9:15 – 9:45	Registration
10:15 – 11:15	Welcome Remarks
11:15 – 11:45	Coffee Break
12:00 – 13:30	SIAC Virtual Session
13:30 – 14:30	3rd Party Funding and IBA Taking on Evidence Session Presenter: Professor Jan Paulsson President of the Bahrain International Commerical Court (BICC)
14:30 – 15:30	Lunch
15:30 – 16:30	Vis Moot Procedural Issues Overview This session is designed to give an introduction to the two procedural issues in the Problem of the 33rd edition of the Vis Moot: which version of the SIAC Rules apply in the ARB 1991/25 VIS SIAC arbitration (2016 or 2025)? should Claimant disclose its funding (TPF) agreement and ATE-insurance agreement? Identifying the key facts and establishing a timeline; Case theory; Practical exercises
16:30 – 16:45	Coffee Break
16:45 – 17:45	Vis Moot Substantive Issues Overview This session is designed to give an introduction to the two substantive issues in the Problem of the 33rd edition of the Vis Moot: Is Claimant Entitled To Damages Due To A Breach Of Contract By Respondent Which Is Not Excused By Article 79 CISG? In case Claimant should be entitled to damages, can the damages be calculated on the basis of Article 75 CISG in the way it is done by Claimant? Identifying the key facts and establishing a timeline; Case theory; Practical exercises
17:45 – 18:15	Feedback from the Mooties and Coaches

Day 2 (9 Feb 2026)

9:30 – 10:30	Arguments Workshop Part I Identifying the pertinent facts and timeline Creating/ reframing a convincing narrative Dissecting the main/alternative arguments Addressing the weaknesses in Claimant/Respondent’s argument How do you pre-empt and deal with strong arguments from the other side Room 1: Procedural Issue a Room 2: Merits Issue c
10:30 – 10:45	Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:45	Arguments Workshop Part II Identifying the pertinent facts and timeline Creating/ reframing a convincing narrative Dissecting the main/ alternative arguments Addressing the weaknesses in Claimant/Respondent’s argument How do you pre-empt and deal with strong arguments from the other side Room 1: Procedural Issue b Room 2: Merits Issue d
11:45 – 12:45	Lunch
12:45 – 13:45	Jus Mundi Session
13:45 – 14:00	Coffee Break
14:00 – 15:00	Practice Rounds 1
15:00 – 15:15	Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:15	Practice Rounds 2
16:15 – 17:15	The Pre-Moot Competition Schedule, Scoring Criteria, and Rules A program advisor will explain 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.

Day 3 (10 Feb 2026)

9:00 – 9:30

Team Check-in & Arbitrator Registration for Round 1

9:30 – 11:30

Pre-Moot General Round 1

Round 1
#	Claimant	Respondent
1	University of Lagos	Cavendish University Uganda
2	Lloyd Law College	The British University in Egypt
3	American Univ. of Central Asia	Univ. of World Economy & Diplomacy
4	Alfaisal University	Al-Nahrain University
5	Hamad bin Khalifa University	Royal University for Women
6	United Arab Emirates Univ. (UAEU)	Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
7	National Research Univ. “HSE”	University of Colombo

11:30 – 11:45

Coffee Break

11:45 – 13:45

Pre-Moot General Round 2

Round 2
#	Claimant	Respondent
8	Cavendish University Uganda	Lloyd Law College
9	The British Univ. in Egypt	American Univ. of Central Asia
10	Univ. of World Economy & Diplomacy	University of Lagos
11	Al-Nahrain University	Hamad bin Khalifa University
12	Royal University for Women	United Arab Emirates Univ. (UAEU)
13	Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth	National Research Univ. “HSE”
14	University of Colombo	Alfaisal University

13:45 – 14:45

Lunch

14:45 – 16:45

Pre-Moot General Round 3

Round 3
#	Claimant	Respondent
15	University of Lagos	The British University in Egypt
16	Lloyd Law College	American Univ. of Central Asia
17	Cavendish University Uganda	Univ. of World Economy & Diplomacy
18	Alfaisal University	Hamad bin Khalifa University
19	Al-Nahrain University	Royal University for Women
20	National Research Univ. “HSE”	United Arab Emirates Univ. (UAEU)
21	Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth	University of Colombo

17:00 – 18:00

Practitioners Roundtable

Program advisors and available arbitrators will meet to discuss the issues of the 33rd Vis Moot Problem; Pre-Moot Competition’s scoring criteria, rules, and schedule.

Presenters(s): Michael Patchet Joyce

Day 4 (11 Feb 2026)

9:00 – 9:30

Team Check-in & Arbitrator Registration for Round 4

9:30 – 11:30

Pre-Moot General Round 4

Round 4
#	Claimant	Respondent
22	American Univ. of Central Asia	University of Lagos
23	Univ. of World Economy & Diplomacy	Lloyd Law College
24	The British Univ. in Egypt	Cavendish University Uganda
25	United Arab Emirates Univ. (UAEU)	Alfaisal University
26	Hamad bin Khalifa University	National Research Univ. “HSE”
27	Royal University for Women	Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
28	University of Colombo	Al-Nahrain University

11:30 – 12:00

Coffee Break and announcement of Quarter-Final Rounds

12:00 – 12:30

Arbitrator Registration for Knockout Rounds

12:30 – 14:30

Quarter-Final Rounds

Claimant	Respondent
University of Lagos	Alfaisal University
National Research Univ. “HSE”	Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
United Arab Emirates Univ. (UAEU)	Royal University for Women
American Univ. of Central Asia	Al-Nahrain University

14:30 – 16:00

Lunch and announcement of Semi-Finals

Day 5 (12 Feb 2026)

9:00 – 9:30	Team Check-in & Arbitrator Registration for Knockout Rounds
9:30 – 11:30	Pre-Moot Semi-Finals Rounds – Lagos VS USJ – Room: Moot Court – RUW VS Al-Nahreen – Room: AC01 – Lecture Hall
11:30 – 12:00	Coffee Break and announcement of Final Rounds
12:00 – 14:00	Final Round RUW VS USJ
19:00 – 21:00	Award Ceremony and Closing Reception Location: Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Al Taj Ballroom https://maps.app.goo.gl/4CfgGF3CQFAVGESt8