The world’s largest and most prestigious moot court competition has once again arrived in India, bringing together the finest legal minds from across the nation. The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition 2025 – Indian Rounds, hosted at Amity Law School, Noida, is more than just a competition—it is a rigorous test of legal acumen, advocacy, and strategic argumentation, where students simulate proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
This year’s problem delves into the theme of maritime rights, environmental concerns, state jurisdiction and human rights, a topic of critical contemporary relevance that challenges participants to engage in high-level legal reasoning, persuasive oratory, and thorough research. As teams go head-to-head in courtrooms, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and intellectual fervor, setting the stage for an exhilarating four days of mooting excellence.
Day 1 (12th February 2025): Preliminary Rounds
Day 2 (13th February 2025): Preliminary Rounds
Day 3 (14th February 2025): Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and exchange of memorials.
Day 4 (15th February 2025): Finals and Valedictory Ceremony
Stay tuned for live updates of the event!
Day 1: The Curtain Rises – Preliminary Rounds Begin
We are honored to witness the commencement of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition 2025 – Indian Rounds.
As the first day unfolds, we anticipate an environment of academic excellence, insightful discourse, and the relentless pursuit of legal mastery—hallmarks of the Jessup experience.
The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
The dedicated individuals and their collective strengths that contribute to the seamless planning, coordination, and execution of the Jessup 2025 India Qualifying Rounds.
8:45 hours– The judges were accompanied by Student Volunteers
9:30 hours– The first preliminary round of the coveted Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition, 2025 has officially started.
The law barks at all but bites only the poor, the powerless, the illiterate, the ignorant
– Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
10:30 hours– The participants’ arguments on legal issues are truly remarkable! The dedication and meticulous preparation behind crafting these arguments deserve immense appreciation.
At the best, man is noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice, he is the worst
-Aristotle
10:45 hours- Following a series of intense arguments, the rebuttal session has commenced.
11:00 hours- Preliminary Round 1 has concluded! The first round has set the bar high, promising equally exciting rounds ahead!
12:00 hours- The students displayed an exceptional presence in the first round, demonstrating remarkable oratory and advocacy skills. The judges of Preliminary Round 1 engaged with the speakers, challenging them on various points of their arguments. As the competition progresses, we now look forward to an equally exhilarating second round, which is officially underway!
12:20 hours- Preliminary Round 2, consisting of 15 matches, marks the second of six rounds. The participants are presenting their strongest arguments.
13:15 hours- The participants are striving to structure their arguments effectively in support of their primary stance. As the round nears its conclusion, the judges are actively engaging with them, posing thought-provoking questions. Meanwhile, the judges in each courtroom are reviewing the memorials, challenging the participants with queries that they are skillfully addressing.
13:30 hours- The second Preliminary Round has concluded. The judges commended the participants for their extensive research and profound understanding of the subject.
15:00 hours- Preliminary Round 3 of the prestigious Philip C. Jessup Moot Court India Qualifying Rounds is now underway. With three thrilling rounds completed, we have reached the halfway mark of this exciting stage of the competition.
15:30 hours- The teams have begun presenting their arguments before the esteemed judges. In one instance, a judge posed a question, to which the speaker responded with a detailed explanation.
16:15 hours- The Rebuttals and Sur-Rebuttals have concluded. The Court is now adjourned, and the judges are providing valuable feedback to the teams.
16:30 hours- Both teams have completed their arguments, and the judges are now finalizing the score sheets. With that, the third round has come to an end. This is followed by the felicitation of the judges.
17:00 hours- It was an electrifying day filled with intense debates, counterarguments, rebuttals, and sur-rebuttals. Every participant gave their all in the competition. We look forward to seeing you on Day 2 of the Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition, 2025 India Qualifiers.
Day 2: Strategies Unfold – The Competition Heats Up
Your enthusiasm and excitement have truly inspired us in organizing this prestigious moot court competition. Our goal is to offer law students a platform to come together and showcase their skills. It’s the second day, and teams are eagerly anticipating their rounds today. We wish all participants the best and hope they perform at their highest potential.
Law must be stable, but it must not stand still.
– Roscoe Pound
9:00 hours- Day 2 starts with briefing of judges for Preliminary Round 4
9:30 hours- Preliminary Round 4 has officially commenced. As a new day unfolds, we extend a warm welcome to the teams participating in this round. With appreciation and anticipation, we begin today’s proceedings.
09:55 hours- As the rounds continue, the tension in the atmosphere intensifies with each passing moment. We wish success to the team that performs the best.
10:00 hours- The arguments and cross-questioning are truly captivating! The intensity of the discussions on various issues is exhilarating to witness!
The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master unless he transforms strength into right and obedience into duty.
-Jean-Jacques Rousseau
10:30 hours- Following the insightful arguments presented by both teams, this round has become even more thrilling. We now proceed to the rebuttal and sur-rebuttal session.
10:45 hours- The exchange of arguments and counter-arguments by the participants has fostered a highly academic atmosphere. As the participants exit the courtroom, the judges are preparing their scoring sheets. We now move on to the next mooting round.
11:00 hours- Preliminary Round 4 has concluded! It was an engaging exchange of arguments from both sides.
12:00 hours– We’ve seen incredibly dedicated participants battle it out with great intensity. The competition has been fierce, and as we prepare for the upcoming rounds, the excitement continues to build. The 4th preliminary round was just the beginning of an exhilarating contest, setting the stage for an engaging day ahead. Now, we move forward with the 5th Preliminary Round of the competition!
12:30 hours– The 5th Preliminary Round holds even greater promise, as teams showcase their utmost effort in this fiercely competitive stage.
12:45 hours– Participants’ dedication is evident in their presentations. Their strong arguments, backed by relevant laws and official reports, truly highlight their research skills.
13:15 hours– The competition is in full swing, with participants showcasing their competitive spirit as they vie for the top positions. The session is only set to become even more captivating.
13:30 hours– The participants received insightful guidance from the distinguished Judges of their respective courtrooms, bringing an hour of intellectual exchange and analytical discussions to a close. Round 5 of the competition concludes, marking one of the most enriching moments of the day. The teams came thoroughly prepared, ensuring no weaknesses for their opponents to capitalize on.
15:00 hours – The tension in the air is almost tangible as the competition advances into Preliminary Round 6 . The finest teams, now stand on the precipice of another intellectual clash, their arguments sharpened, their nerves steady. Here, in the midst of legal combat, preparation is no longer a safeguard but a weapon, and adaptability the key to survival.
Stress is inevitable, but so is progress. Every argument, every counter, every moment in court shapes not just the competition but the advocates themselves.
15:30 hours – The teams have presented well-researched and carefully structured arguments, demonstrating both preparation and clarity. The competition remains as engaging as ever, with each round bringing new challenges and compelling exchanges. This one is proving to be just as riveting as the last.
16:00 hours – The exchange between the judges and the orators has been both insightful and engaging, reflecting the depth of preparation each team has put into their arguments. The participants have demonstrated clarity, composure, and keen legal reasoning, making this round a compelling display of advocacy at its finest.
16:30 hours – With Preliminary Round 6 now concluded, participants leave with valuable takeaways for future moot court competitions. The judges’ insightful feedback has provided them with a deeper understanding of their strengths and areas for refinement—an essential part of the learning process that defines the Jessup experience.
16:45 hours- The results for the Quarterfinal rounds have been declared. The following teams have qualified for the Quarter – final rounds. Following no specific order, the teams are listed below:
Providing dedicated facilitation and support to the esteemed judges who evaluated the preliminary rounds today, ensuring a seamless adjudication process.
With great pleasure, we announce the conclusion of the second day of the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition 2025 (Indian Rounds). The participants showcased their arguments impressively before the judges, delivering compelling performances. The rebuttals and surrebuttals were even more captivating to witness. The judges provided insightful and invaluable feedback, further enriching the experience. Now, we eagerly anticipate Day 3, promising even more intense and engaging mooting sessions. Stay tuned, everyone—there’s much more to come!
