This unique trilingual competition in Washington, DC, draws law students from all over the world to argue a human rights case, based on the American Convention on Human Rights, before a panel of internationally renowned experts playing the part of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The competition offers participants an excellent networking opportunity, scholarships for further human rights study, and the top teams secure internships in the Inter-American human rights system.
Approximate schedule:
- Before the competition:
- Observing: There are opportunities for first or second-year law students to attend the competition as observers before the year in which they hope to compete.
- Competition Year
- Fall: Enrollment in Inter-American Human Rights System is REQUIRED for eligibility to participate as an orator. It is encouraged to enroll in or have taken International Law and/or International Human Rights Law.
- Winter break: The case is published on December 10 (International Human Rights Day). Read over it and start familiarizing yourself with the facts during break.
- Spring: Enroll in 3 Moot Court Credits to co-write a 12,000-word Memorial due mid-March. You will then spend the rest of the semester practicing for a 45-minute co-oral argument.
- After Spring Finals: Anticipate two weeks of oral practices leading up to competition, which historically occurs in the third full week of May in Washington College of Law, Washington, DC.
- Fall: Enrollment in Inter-American Human Rights System is REQUIRED for eligibility to participate as an orator. It is encouraged to enroll in or have taken International Law and/or International Human Rights Law.
- Post-Comeptition:
- Spring: Commit to continuing with the team in the following year as a Coach if still enrolled at UW, and attend the competition. Coaching will be a one-credit Spring commitment.
- Spring: Commit to continuing with the team in the following year as a Coach if still enrolled at UW, and attend the competition. Coaching will be a one-credit Spring commitment.
- Enrollment in Law 950-010 Inter-American Human Rights System is REQUIRED for eligibility to compete as an orator.
- If interested in participating as an observer, email Valeria Martinez at vmartinez3@wisc.edu.
