Press Release: Announcing the 2022 Jessup Competition

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

We have watched with dismay as the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched well into its second year. Like universities, businesses, and families, ILSA has had to have serious discussions about how the pandemic will impact our programs and activities, principally the 2022 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

After considering all alternatives, the ILSA Board of Directors has adopted the following plan for the 2022 Jessup Competition.

Taking into account the improving circumstances in many countries and recognizing the central importance of the Jessup National Rounds, we have decided to restore the role played by our national competitions. We are delighted to reinvigorate the central role of the national competitions which, for the vast majority of our participating students, volunteers, and judges, are the heart of the Jessup Competition. Teams in multi-participant countries will once again qualify for the 2022 White & Case International Rounds through national-level qualifying tournaments. Our national administrators will make determinations as to whether those tournaments will take place in-person or online, consistent with local circumstances and applicable national health guidelines.

In light of continuing uncertainty and the disparate situations in the many different countries that make up the global Jessup family – including ongoing health concerns, limitations on international travel, and local/national safety measures, all of which threaten to continue for months (if not years) – a return to an in-person International Rounds is unfortunately not viable for spring of 2022. Therefore, the ILSA Board of Directors has decided that the 2022 White & Case International Rounds will be held online.

We are excited to release the 2022 Official Rules and the 2022 Schedule along with this Statement. The 2022 Rules draw upon the wonderful experiences we had at and the valuable lessons we learned from the 2021 Global Rounds. As you will see from the 2022 Rules, we have taken steps to increase representation at the 2022 International Rounds and the number of teams that will participate at the virtual International Rounds. (see, in particular, Official Rule 1.2). We intend for the 2022 White & Case International Rounds to be the largest in history. We will once again use our dynamic online platform, with customized Jessup courtrooms, social rooms, and other features, for the 2022 White & Case International Rounds.

Thank you for your ongoing support of ILSA and the Jessup Competition. Like you, we long to meet friends and colleagues and gather socially. We believe that we can leverage the amazing Jessup spirit to make the 2022 Competition a success and continue to stand together – online – in these challenging times.

Lesley A. Benn

Executive Director