UCL Laws recognised at the Willem C. Vis Moot in Vienna

The UCL Laws Vis Moot Team progressed to the elimination stages of the 33rd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, held from 28 March to 2 April 2026, reaching the Round of 32 in a highly competitive field of 390 teams from top law schools across six continents.

Building on their strong showing at the CIETAC Cup in Beijing earlier this year, the team was also awarded individual accolades: Juliette Groothaert (LLM) placed third overall as Second Runner-Up for Best Oralist, and Alexander Pitlarge (LLM) received an Honourable Mention for Best Oralist.

The Willem C. Vis Moot is the largest private law moot court competition in the world, focusing on international arbitration and commercial law. This year’s competition brought together more than 2,500 students, 1,200 coaches, and over 1,000 arbitrators in Vienna.

Teams prepare written submissions for both claimant and respondent, before arguing their case in oral hearings before practising arbitrators. Each year, the problem is newly drafted, requiring students to engage with unfamiliar areas of law from scratch under competitive conditions, while balancing this alongside their academic commitments.

The road to Vienna: pre-moot competitions

Before Vienna, the team competed in four international pre-moot competitions: the CIETAC Cup in Beijing, the White & Case Pre-Moot, the London Pre-Moot, and the Boston Pre-Moot, as well as a series of practice rounds with other teams. They placed in the top four at both the CIETAC Cup and the London Pre-Moot, and received five individual oralist awards across the season.

‘Over five and a half months, the team balanced demanding academic commitments with an intensive preparation schedule. This success was made possible by the team’s dedication and the steadfast support of UCL Laws and Myrto Tachia [Associate Lecturer (Teaching) and Faculty Advisor for the Vis]. This achievement reflects UCL’s continued commitment to excellence in mooting,’ said Rahul James (LLM; Coach).

Building global connections and friendships 

Competing in Vienna brought the team into contact with peers, academics, and practitioners from across the legal world, both inside and outside the competition. Alongside the academic programme, the moot is also known for its strong social dimension, offering participants the opportunity to build global networks that support their future careers.

‘The experience in Vienna is incomparable,’ said Peter Horstkotte (LLM; Coach). ‘You can’t move around the city without encountering other teams, arbitrators, or leading professors. It’s a truly special occasion, with numerous social events taking place every day. You simply cannot leave without having made a host of new international connections and friends.’

While progressing to the elimination rounds and receiving individual recognitions were key highlights, for many the most meaningful outcome was the sense of friendship and mutual support developed throughout the process. ‘We started the competition as a team, but we finished it as a group of friends,’ he added.

A springboard for careers

The Vis Moot gives students unique exposure to the world of international arbitration as they work through a complex problem, prepare written submissions, and argue before practising arbitrators. In doing so, students develop applied knowledge of arbitration and international commercial law, alongside professional skills such as oral advocacy, communication, and collaboration – and the ability to work in unfamiliar legal territory under pressure.

Coach Kai Min Hii (LLB) knows this from both sides. She competed as an oralist the previous year, receiving an Honourable Mention for Best Individual Oralist, and returned this year as a coach.

‘It has been a true privilege to coach such a talented and dedicated team and to witness their growth throughout the process. Returning in this capacity has been especially meaningful, allowing me to build on my own experience as an oralist. The coaches and I are immensely proud of what the team has achieved.’

Advice for future applicants

For students weighing whether to apply next year, Coach Peter Horstkotte (LLM) says: 

‘The best and simplest advice is simply to apply. The application itself is often the biggest hurdle, whether because it feels daunting or intimidating. But if you overcome this, it can become one of the most rewarding experiences of your degree, offering the chance to develop your skills and build lasting friendships and connections.’

The UCL team at the 33rd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2026

Oralists

• Juliette Groothaert (LLM)
• Alexander Pitlarge (LLM)
• Eleonora Keller Rodriguez (LLM)
• Jackson Eaton Parfitt (LLB)
• Owen Johnson (LLB)

Researcher:

• Ferdinand Prostmeier (LLM)

Coaches

• Peter Horstkotte (LLM)
• Kai Min Hii (LLB)
• Rahul James (LLM)

Faculty Advisor for the Vis

• Myrto Tachia, Associate Lecturer (Teaching)

With special thanks to Karina Vasiliades (PhD candidate, UCL Laws) and Miles Janes (LLM, Class of 2024) for their support in preparing the team for the competition.