uOttawa’s Common Law Jessup Team Ranks as #1 North American Team in World’s Largest Moot Competition
Representing Canada, the University of Ottawa’s Common Law Jessup team was the only North American team to proceed to the quarterfinals of the Shearman & Sterling International Round of the 2009 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., which was held from March 22 – 28, 2009.After defending its title for the third year in a row at the White and Case Canadian National Division Qualifying Tournament, the Common Law team of Andrew Lanouette, Jordana Laporte, Tamara Morgenthau and Heather Squires competed against more than 110 teams in Washington and went on to remain undefeated after the preliminary rounds.
Teams that advance to the international round in Washington compete in three days of preliminary moots, and then those with the highest scores advance to quarterfinal, semifinal, and then final rounds. The Common Law team prevailed in a tie-breaking head-to-head elimination match and emerged as the only North American team to advance to the quarterfinals. The winning team of the Shearman & Sterling International Round was from Columbia, South America.
L to R: Prof. Anthony Daimsis, Tamara Morgenthau, Jordana Laporte, Mr. Hugh Verrier ('81), Heather Squires, and Andrew Lanouette
Acknowledging his pride in the students and the law school, Professor Anthony Daimsis, who coached the team, stated, “The admiration I have for these four students is hard to express. They have reminded me why I love teaching and why this is the best Faculty in which to teach.”
The 2009 Jessup Compromis addressed the power and authority of the International Court of Justice. Official awards will be announced shortly.
“Virtually every law school in the world participates in the Jessup Moot Court competition,” noted Dean Bruce Feldthusen. “Thanks to our Jessup teams, uOttawa enjoys a well-earned reputation for excellence amongst international lawyers everywhere. Coach Daimsis and all the participants have done a marvelous job.”
The Jessup Moot Court Competition is the largest and most prestigious moot court competition worldwide, with participants from over 500 law schools in more than 80 countries. It is named after Philip C. Jessup, a U.S. representative to the International Court of Justice, who was elected by the United Nations to serve a nine-year term in 1961. Judge Jessup also played a key role in the formation of the International Law Commission.
The 2009 Shearman & Sterling International Rounds commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, drawing a record number of students and dignitaries including six judges from the International Court of Justice.