On 13 May 2024, the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) held its annual Moot Court Award Ceremony, in collaboration with Clifford Chance. This event celebrated the dedication and achievements of students participating in the Uni.lu Moot Court Programme.
The ceremony started with a warm welcome by Katia Gauzès, Managing Partner at Clifford Chance. She praised the students’ hard work, highlighting the valuable experiences and friendships formed during their preparation. Ms. Gauzès noted the diverse career paths available to law graduates, recalled about the welcome ceremony held just last October, and remarked on how quickly time has flown by since then. She congratulated all participants for their commitment to the rigorous demands of the moot courts. She mentioned that it is a fantastic commitment that the students have achieved throughout the year.
Dr Susana Muñoz, Moot Court Coordinator at the University of Luxembourg, congratulated the teams and expressed pride at the students’ accomplishments in various moot court competitions held at European and international level. She emphasised the importance of the values and skills developed through these competitions, such as vision, caution, prudence, discretion, and wisdom—key attributes in legal practice. She noted that the students demonstrated an ability to perceive what others might miss, to navigate through ambiguity, and to act with both insight and understanding. Through mooting, they have not only deepened their knowledge of the law but also refined their skills in legal writing, rigorous research, teamwork, and oral advocacy.
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Kata Gauzès ©Michel Brumat
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Dr Susana Muñoz ©Michel Brumat
This year, FDEF students displayed exceptional legal prowess in six prestigious moot court competitions, guided by dedicated coaches, expert lawyers, and professors. Each student was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Katalin Ligeti, in recognition of their contribution to the following competitions:
Concours européen des droits de l’homme René Cassin (Concours Cassin)
The team, consisting of Chiara Napoli, Maxime Rosaz and Maureen Van Nuffel, was coached by Théo Antunes, Doctoral Researcher. After a successful written phase, the team was one of the 32 qualifying teams for the “plaidoirie” held on 20 – 22 March 2024 at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The Cassin team tackled complex human rights issues related to art with remarkable sensitivity and insight.
European Law Moot Court Competition (ELMC)
The team, consisting of Pauline Covino, Kenza Davoine, Solène Flamand and Mykyta Prorok, was coached by Marinos Emmanouil Kalpakos and Isabella Lorenzoni, Doctoral Researchers. The participants in this competition navigated the intricacies of European Union law with unconventional acuity. They addressed issues on jurisdiction of national courts on the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy matters, and on the interpretation of Regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market.
After the success of the written phase, the team qualified to one of the four Regional Finals, where 12 teams out of 80 selected teams competed from 29 February – 3 March 2024. The team then had the opportunity to deliver convincing oral pleadings at the preliminary round in Sofia.
International and European Tax Moot Court Competition (Tax MC)
The team, consisting of Elizaveta Kozlova, Nga’Nzim Onger and Maria-Clara Vassil, was coached by Frank Salentiny, Doctoral Researcher. The team dealt with challenging tax law scenarios that demanded both precision and depth of understanding. It was the particular issue of taxation of income generated by influencers and the role played by artificial intelligence.
After a fruitful written phase, the team qualified for the oral phase in the Final Rounds in Leuven (Belgium) on 24 – 29 March 2024. They brilliantly ranked 5th out of 20 in the first qualifying round and 6th out of 8 in the second qualifying round.
International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (ICC MCC)
The team, consisting of Eirini Botza, Alexander Kaiser, Claire Lavandier and Marianna Manna, is coached by Charlotte Quaisser, Melina Anastasopoulou and Leonardo Romano, Doctoral Researchers. They also enjoy the support of student Anastasia Schafer. The team focuses on the Prosecutor v. Lionel Strong case, about the destruction of an ancient archaeological site and the killing of 800 protesters.
This competition is the longest Moot Court competition offered at the University of Luxembourg. As of the time of publication of this article, their journey to the Oral Rounds in The Hague is still ongoing (held on 31 May – 7 June 2024).
Monroe E Price Media Law Moot Court Competition (Price MC)
The team, consisting of Jean Rene Ludovic Balancy, Lisa Haro, Jean-Jacques Rol and Pawel Emmanuel Trotz, was coached by Nils Langensteiner, Doctoral Researcher, and Dr Sandra Schmitz-Berndt, Postdoctoral Researcher. The students explored the delicate balance between platform regulation, self-generated AI content and the restriction of freedom of expression for national security concerns.
The team was one of the twelve teams that qualified for the Europe Rounds held from the 31 January – 2 February 2024 in Paris. The team presented excellent pleadings in three rounds.
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (Jessup)
The team, consisting of Yixuan Gao, Zhijie Lu, Natsuno Oda and Noan Lucas Renault, was coached by Stanislav Gubenko and Eva Te Dorsthorst, Doctoral Researchers. The team engaged with international legal issues related to the right to political expression, statelessness, the right to a nationality, and the scope of the United Nations Security Council’s authority in the pacific settlement of disputes. They competed in the European Friendly, in Bratislava from 29 February – 2 March 2024, and in the White & Case Jessup International Rounds, from 30 March – 6 April 2024, in Washington, DC.
The team’s noteworthy performance was rewarded with the 27th place in the Jessup 2024 memorial rankings among almost 700 competing teams. The team was also invited to a private meeting at the Embassy of Luxembourg in the United States, in Washington, DC.
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The Cassin team ©Michel Brumat
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The ELMC team ©Michel Brumat
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The Tax MC team ©Michel Brumat
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The ICC MCC team ©Michel Brumat
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The Price MC team ©Michel Brumat
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The Jessup team ©Michel Brumat
Dr Muñoz acknowledged the remarkable role of the coaches as the teams’ leaders in this unique teaching experience. She thanked colleagues at FDEF, professors, postdoctoral researchers, doctoral researchers, external experts and especially Clifford Chance lawyers for their valuable support to the moot teams. She also highlighted the opportunity to lead the Moot Court Programme and to be both a player and a first-hand witness of its significant impact in legal education. She added: “It is a joy to meet bright, dynamic and committed people such as the members of our ever-growing Uni.lu Moot Court Community.”
Ms. Gauzès concluded the ceremony by wishing the students success in their future careers. The event ended with a cocktail reception, allowing participants to network and celebrate their achievements.
The Faculty extends its thanks to all who made the ceremony and the competitions possible, especially Clifford Chance for their continued partnership!