15th Moscow Pre-Moot

15–16 March 2025

Dear Willem C. Vis Moot participants,

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is the world’s leading law school competition fostering the study of international commercial law and international commercial arbitration. The competition is named after Willem C. Vis, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) at the time of promulgation of the Vienna Convention, Professor at Pace University School of Law and the parent of the Moot Court idea.

The Moot is organized by the Association for the Organization and Promotion of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. The Director is Eric E. Bergsten, Professor Emeritus of Pace University School of Law and a former Secretary of the UNCITRAL. The Vis Moot is sponsored by numerous institutions worldwide, such as UNCITRAL, International Chamber of Commerce, American Arbitration Association, The London Court of International Arbitration, Swiss Arbitration Association and the like.

It has been over 10 years since Moscow Pre-Moot was first conducted. In 2010 the Moscow Pre-Moot started as a small event with only a few Russian teams participating. Since then, it has become a well-known forum bringing together hundreds of participants and arbitration experts from Russia and abroad aimed to master teams’ presentations before the main competition in Vienna or Hong Kong.

Success of the Higher School of Economics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kutafin Moscow State Law University shows a great competitive environment in Moscow that creates worthy conditions and networks for advancing into elimination rounds in Vienna or Hong Kong and for the future career of an international lawyer.

The previous editions of the Moscow Pre-Moot were held online giving the teams an opportunity to master virtual hearing skills before stars of international arbitration. It is a great chance for all the attendees to share their unique knowledge, give advice and contribute to personal and professional growth of each other.

The 2024 Moscow Pre-Moot welcomes teams from various jurisdictions to inspire and contribute to the teams’ further preparation to the main pleading at Vienna or Hong Kong.

Founders of the Moscow Pre-Moot

Olesya Petrol

Olesya Petrol

Partner, Petrol Chilikov

Olesya has over 10 years of experience in advising Russian and overseas clients on various matters of Russian private law, including leading transactions and acting as counsel in international and local Russian disputes, both before state courts and in arbitration.

Alexander Yagelnitskiy

Alexander Yagelnitskiy

Of Counsel, Petrol Chilikov

Alexander has over 10 years of experience in advising clients on various matters of Russian private law and appearing in Russian courts and in arbitration. His exceptional academic background enables the team to find creative solutions for the most complicated and law shifting cases.

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