About ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO Law

The ELSA Moot Court Competition (EMC²) is a simulated hearing of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement system and is organised annually by The European Law Students' Association (ELSA) and open to teams from around the globe.

The World Trade Organization (WTO), which was established in 1995, is based on the old GATT Agreement and creates a system for efficiently regulating international trade. Despite the controversies, the present structure looks to promote and enhance international trade for years to come.  

The aim of the Competition is threefold, firstly to encourage further development on the subject matter of the WTO in the curriculum of academic institutions. Secondly, to contribute to the ongoing discussion regarding globalisation in the context of the WTO Agreements. Finally, to assist countries in developing their technical legal capacity by preparing the next generation of trade lawyers and negotiators.

Competitor teams represent both the Complainant and Respondent parties to The Case by presenting oral submissions in front of a Panel. EMC² Panels consist of WTO Law experts and are referred to as Panellist. The Competition provides students with the opportunity to put theory into practice, thereby complimenting their theortical legal education with clinical legal education.

The Academic Board of the EMC2 2012/2013

The Academic Board was established for the 11th edition in order to keep the high academic quality. We are proud to announce that the following experienced and high-qualified academics will be in this years' board:

·         Mr. Jan Bohanes

Advisory Centre on the WTO Law (Switzerland)

Former member of the Secretariat of the WTO’s Appellate Body

·         Mr. Lothar Ehring

Directorate-General for Trade, European Commission (Brussels)

Former Legal Affairs Officer in the Secretariat of the WTO’s Appellate Body

·         Prof. Lei Zhang

School of WTO Research and Education, Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade

WTO Chair Holder

·         Prof. Sergei Sutyrin

Head, Department of World Economy, Faculty of Economics, St. Petersburg

WTO Chair Holder

·         Prof. Robert Howse

New York University, Law Faculty

·         Prof. Michael Ewing-Chow

Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore

WTO Chair Holder

Prof. Andrew D. Mitchell

Director, Globe Trade Programme, Insitute of International Law & the Humanities

Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, Australia