International Humanitarian Law Moot
International humanitarian law is also known as the laws of war and armed conflict. As a set of rules and principles IHL aims, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.
The IHL Moot is open to JD students in all year levels and first year students are encouraged to participate. Teams consist of 2-3 students: two barristers and one optional instructing solicitor.
The Moot uses one problem throughout the whole competition, giving students ample opportunity to learn from their mistakes to improve their legal and oral advocacy skills.
Preliminary rounds are held at Melbourne Law School, with the Grand Final being held at the Federal Court in Melbourne.
Competition Details
Teams must consist of a Senior and Junior Counsel. An Instructing Solicitor who assists in legal research and preparation of the written submissions (does not speak during the oral submissions) is optional, but encouraged. Team members may rotate positions during the course of the competition so that everyone gets a chance to make oral submissions.
Time commitment: For ALL competitiors, the moot problem will be released 1:00PM, seven days prior to your moot. As mooting is research based, expect to spend some time reading the problem, undertaking some research and preparing for the moot.
Team size: 2–3 members
Number of rounds: 6
Semester 2 Schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Week 4: 19/08 and 20/08
Week 6: 02/09 and 03/09
Week 8: 16/09 and 17/09
Week 9: 23/09 | Quarter-Final
Week 10: 08/10 | Semi-Final
Week 11: 14/10 | Grand-Final
Attire: Business
Delivery: All internal competitions in 2025 will follow an in-person format.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Tang and Hannah Abrahamian at ihlmoot@mulss.com.
Key Documents
2024 Training Workshop Recording - Click here to access
2023 Competitors’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Judges’ Guidebook - Click here to access
2022 Scoresheet - Click here to access
Exemplar Moot Problem (2019) - Click here to download.
Exemplar Submissions- Click here to download.
Congratulations to our 2024 Winners and thank you!
A huge congratulations to our 2024 winners: Vi Hu, Augustin Kadende-Clarke, and Dylan Karunaratne - on your outstanding achievement!
Well done as well to our 2024 Runners-Up: Sam Warner, Sowbhagya Nagendran, and Jordan Bassilious.
A heartfelt thank you to our 2024 Co-opts, Ashqkein Kaur and Harnoor Kaur, for your invaluable contributions throughout the year.
Thank you to all competitors for making this season exceptional!
Past winners
2024 – Vi Hu, Augustin Kadende-Clarke and Dylan Karunaratne
2023 – Jack Fagan, Fiona Xia and Selina Li
2022 – Kaitlin Jempson, Leilani Wang, Hannah Crispin
2021 – Eleanor Twomey, Jasmine Gan and Jonathan Ta
2020 – Jessica Flatters and Nathan Scott
2019 – Nick Clohesy, Stephanie Douvos and Madeleine Pittle
2018 – Edward Howard, Julia Sheridan and Shilpa Sringar
2017 – Harrie Bantick and James Hogan
2016 – Nikki Hagler, Julia Korolkova and Maria Victoria Downie
2015 – Julia Nikolic, Elizabeth Flatley and Jessica Pergaminelis
2014 – N/A
2013 – Jessica Cao, Stephanie Mercuri and Lucy Nihill
2012 – John Manwaring, Sophie Wade and Brigid McCarthy
2011 – Eamon Kelly and Georgia Boyce
2010 – Nahal Zebarjadi and Emma Poole