What is the Jessup?
Jessup is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from roughly 700 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations. One team is allowed to participate from every eligible school. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.
Jessup 2025: The Case Concerning the Naegea Sea
The Jessup 2025 Problem presents the following issues: (1) the rights and obligations of other members of the international community when two persons claim to be the legitimate president of a state; (2) invocation of immunity for government officials accused of grave violations of human rights; (3) the legal consequences of receding coastlines for the maritime zones of coastal states; and (4) the interpretation of the compromissory clause in a treaty creating a regional organization.
Video Summary of the Case Concerning the Naegea Sea
The contents of this video should not be considered as part of the Jessup Problem and does not alter it in any way. No one should rely on this video as a reliable source of fact for the Jessup 2025 Problem.
Official Schedule
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Updated 26 July 2024
| 26 July 2024 | RELEASE of Official Jessup Rules
National Rules Supplements will be posted as they become available.
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| 2 August 2024 | TEAM REGISTRATION OPENS |
| 16 September 2024 | ANTICIPATED RELEASE of the Jessup Problem |
| 30 September 2024 | Launch of Basic Materials
All Basic Materials will be posted to the ILSA’s website, and materials will be added from time to time over the course of the Jessup season. Teams are encouraged to continue checking the Basic Materials webpage for updates.
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| 15 October 2024 | DEADLINE for Requests from Teams for Corrections and Clarifications to the Jessup Problem
Requests must be submitted through the online form found on your Team’s Home Page.
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| 8 November 2024 | DEADLINE for Eligibility Inquiries
This is the last day on which individuals may request the Executive Office’s special permission to compete under Official Rule 2.4.
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| 18 November 2024 | ANTICIPATED RELEASE DATE of Corrections and Clarifications to the Jessup Problem |
| 22 November 2024 | DEADLINE for Registration
(Online Form and Payment) for all Teams.
DEADLINE for Submission of Team Roster This is the last day on which teams may submit the names of their team members and advisors.
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| 14 January 2025 | DEADLINE for Submission of Memorials
If a Team fails to submit its Applicant and Respondent Memorials by this day, the Team will be disqualified from the Competition. Memorials must be submitted to the Executive Office in accordance with the Official Rules. A National Supplement to the Official Rules may impose additional submission requirements. It is the responsibility of teams to understand the submission requirements of the Official Rules and of their National Rules Supplement, if any, which are posted on ILSA’s website.
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| January – March 2025 | NATIONAL & FRIENDLY ROUNDS
Teams from jurisdictions with more than one team registered must take part in Qualifying Rounds. National and Friendly Rounds may take place virtually or in-person. Advancing Teams will go on to compete in the White & Case International Rounds.
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| 29 March 2025 | WHITE & CASE INTERNATIONAL ROUNDS OPENING CEREMONY |
| 5 April 2025 | WHITE & CASE JESSUP CUP – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH |
National and Friendly Rounds Schedule
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The dates for all Jessup 2025 National, Regional, and Friendly Rounds as well as Jessup Trainings will be updated on a rolling basis.
National, Regional, and Friendly Competitions without information will be updated on a rolling basis as details are finalized. Additional National or Friendly Rounds may be added over the course of several weeks based on Jessup Team registration. Questions can be sent to [email protected].
National, Regional, and Friendly Rounds
| Jurisdiction | Administrator | Dates | Format/Location | Rules Supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Afghanistan | Ramin Mansoory | 24-26 Jan | Online | Rules Supplement |
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Argentina | Argentina Jessup Committee | 21-22 Feb | City Legislature of Buenos Aires / UCA | |
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Armenia | Madlen Mahlamyan | 8-9 Feb | Ramada Hotel, Yerevan | |
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Australia | Andrew Ray & Anthony Cassimatis | 4-8 Feb | Canberra | Rules Supplement |
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Azerbaijan | Mehri Guliyeva | 22-23 Feb | Azerbaijan Supreme Court | Rules Supplement |
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Bangladesh | K M Ashbarul Bari & Arifa Chowdhury | 6-8 Feb | American International University - Bangladesh (AUIB) | Rules Supplement |
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Belgium | Gaby Barnett | 8-9 Mar | ||
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Brazil | Thais Neves Website |
20-22 Feb | Instituto Brasileiro de Ensino, Desenvolvimento e Pesquisa (IDP) Brasilia - DF |
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Bulgaria | Kostadin Obretenov | 14-16 Feb | Supreme Court of Cassation of Bulgaria | |
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Cambodia | Committee of Cambodian Jessup Coaches | 22-23 Feb | ||
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Canada | Maggie MacDonald | 20-22 Feb | Ottawa Marriott Hotel Ottawa, ON |
Rules Supplement |
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Central Asia Friendly | Salim Yusupov | 15-17 Feb | American University of Central Asia Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
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Chile | Gustav Jacob | 27-31 Jan | ||
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China | Lijiang Zhu | 15-18 Feb | China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) Beijing |
Rules Supplement |
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Chinese Taipei | Wendy Ho | 14-16 Feb | National Taipei University College of Law | Rules Supplement |
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Colombia | Camilo José Castro | 20-22 Feb | Universidad Externado de Colombia Bogota |
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Dominican Republic | Jose Luis Almanzar | Mar 12-14 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic | |
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Egypt | Nada Hesham | 21-22 Feb | Shalakany Law Office 12 Maraashly Street Zamalek, Cairo |
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Ethiopia | Elias Nour | 1-2 Feb | Center for Law in Sustainable Development (CLiSD) St. Mary's University |
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European Friendly | Roxanna Nazari | 27 Feb-1 Mar | Offices of Uría Menéndez Madrid, Spain |
Rules Supplement |
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Finland | Roxanna Nazari | 27 Feb-1 Mar | Offices of Uría Menéndez Madrid, Spain |
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France | Elise Roussel & Damien Charlotin | 28 Feb-1 Mar | White & Case 19 Pl. Vendôme 75001 Paris |
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Georgia | Ana Jabauri | 2 Feb | ||
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Germany | Adrian Schildheuer | 19-22 Feb | University Leipzig | |
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Ghana | Abena Achiaa Otuo | 27-31 Jan | Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) | |
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Greece | Christos Zois | 1 Mar | Aristotle University Thessaloniki Law School | |
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Gulf Friendly | ||||
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Hong Kong China | Sakinah Sat | 2 Mar | ||
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Hungary | 21 Feb | HUN-REN Institute for Legal Studies | ||
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India | Bhavna Batra | 12-15 Feb | Amity Law School, Noida | Rules Supplement |
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Indonesia | Demi Narendra Soegandhi | Virtual Prelims 1-2 Feb In-Person Advanced Rounds 15 Feb |
Universitas Indonesia | Rules Supplement |
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Iran | Ali Masoudian | 13-14 Feb | Ronika Palace, Block D, Tehran | Rules Supplement |
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Iraq | Sherwan Fatah | 10-13 Feb | Erbil | Rules Supplement |
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Ireland | Naphtali Ukamwa & Inji Mammadli | 15 Feb | Law Society of Ireland | |
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Italy | Agnese Pizzola | 5-8 Feb | Universita degli Studi di Bologna | Rules Supplement |
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Jamaica | Marc Ramsay | 10 Mar | ||
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Japan | Dr. Shotaro Hamamoto | 14-16 Feb | Kyoto University | Rules Supplement |
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Kazakhstan | Salim Yusupov | 15-17 Feb | American University of Central Asia Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
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Kenya | Dominic Ndungu | 13-14 Feb | Strathmore Law School | |
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Kuwait | Hanna Abdullah Alebrahim | 12 Feb | Kuwait International Law School | |
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Kyrgyzstan | Salim Yusupov | 15-17 Feb | American University of Central Asia Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
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Latin American and Caribbean Friendly | Claudia Caceres & Jessica Zouetr | 10-16 Mar | Online | Rules Supplement |
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Malaysia | Fatimawati binti Ismail | 22-23 Feb | International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) | |
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Mexico | María José Buerba | 17-21 Feb | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) Av. Juarez 20, Colonia Centro Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX |
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Nepal | Ojaswee Bhattarai | 26-28 Feb | Kathmandu | |
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Netherlands | Pauline Melin | 30-31 Jan | Maastricht University Faculty of Law Bouillonstraat 1-3 6211 LH Maastricht |
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Nigeria | Prince Ulame & Ofure Efeovbokhan | 21-22 Feb | Online | |
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Pakistan | Fazeel Hyder Chohan | 30 Jan-2 Feb | Indus College of Law Hyderabad |
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Philippines | Enrique Dela Cruz | 28 Feb-2 Mar | University of Santo Tomas Manila |
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Poland | Joanna Polatynska | 10-13 Feb | Faculty of Law and Administration of University of Łódź | |
| RJT | Evgeniya Neverova | 3-9 Feb | MGIMO University Moscow |
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Romania | ILSA | 28 Mar | Washington, DC | |
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Saudi Arabia | Misbah Saboohi | 12-13 Feb | Prince Sultan University Riyadh |
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Sierra Leone | Karina Gbakie | 30-31 Jan | Fourah Bay College | Rules Supplement |
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South Africa | Roxanna Nazari | 13-15 Feb | University of the Western Cape | Rules Supplement |
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South Korea | Hyeyoung Lee | 14 Feb | Konkuk University, Law School Building | |
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Spain | Nour Yazbeck Moell | 18-20 Feb | Cuatrecasas Madrid office Calle de Almagro, 9, Chamberí, 28010 |
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Thailand | International Law Association of Thailand | 22 Feb | Srinakharinwirot University | |
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Tunisia | Meriem Agrebi | 20-22 Feb | Hotel Regency - Gammarth (Tunis) | |
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Türkiye | Tibet Seheri & Selin Ulger | 1-2 Mar | Istanbul Bilgi University | |
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Uganda | Brian Kiira | 17-18 Jan | Cavendish University School of Law | Rules Supplement |
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Ukraine | Anna Particha & Anastasiia Kyiashko | 31 Jan-2 Feb | Kyiv | Rules Supplement |
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United Arab Emirates | Ali Masoudian | 24-25 Feb | American University in the Emirates (AUE) | |
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United Kingdom | Andrew Holmes | 21-23 Feb | Lincoln's Inn, London | Rules Supplement |
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United States - East* | Jenny Englander | 26 Feb-2 Mar | Hilton Charlotte University Place Charlotte, NC |
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United States - West* | Dagmar Butte | 19-23 Feb | Hilton Portland Downtown Portland, OR |
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Uzbekistan | Salim Yusupov | 15-17 Feb | American University of Central Asia Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
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Vietnam | Michael Peil | 5-7 Feb | Online | |
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Zambia | Rapheka Andre Malunga | 7-9 Feb | Cavendish University | |
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Zimbabwe | Chiramba Nyasha | 7-9 Feb | University of Zimbabwe in Harare |
*Teams will be assigned to the East or West US National Rounds based on geography. We will announce where the ‘line’ is drawn once we have a sense of how many teams are registering and their geographic distribution. If your school requires earlier notice (for example for budgeting reasons), please contact ILSA at [email protected].
Jessup Trainings
| Training | Date | Location | Details |
| Latin American Jessup School | 11-16 Nov | Online | Click here to register Contact: [email protected] No Registration Fee All teams are welcome to register |
| UAE Jessup Moot Court Summer School 2024 | 18-20 Sept | American University in the Emirates, Dubai | Contact: Ali Masoudian |
White & Case International Rounds
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The 2025 White & Case Jessup International Rounds will be held, in person, on 29 March - 5 April 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, DC.
Hotel Information
Hyatt Regency Washington On Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
+1-202-737-1234
Schedule
All events will take place at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill unless otherwise indicated.
Teams should arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of their scheduled matches.
Saturday, March 29 |
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| 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Team Registration
(Columbia Foyer, Ballroom Level) All Teams must check in at the ILSA Registration Desk during this period. |
| 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Exhibition Fair
(Regency Foyer, Ballroom Level) The Exhibition Fair will feature a number of exhibition tables providing information about different opportunities in the field of international law, including LL.M. programs, study abroad programs, international law membership organizations, law firms, and more. |
| 2:00 PM | Opening Ceremony & Orientation
(Regency Ballroom) Team schedules and opponent Memorials will be distributed electronically after the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony. |
| 5:00 PM | Bailiffs Orientation
(Congressional B, Lobby Level) This event is for competition bailiffs only. ILSA administration will provide training and orientation to competition bailiffs to enable them to complete their duties during the week. |
| 7:00 PM | Judge Orientation and Reception
(Capitol AB, Lobby Level) This event is for judges only. Judges are invited to a reception and orientation to meet one another in advance of the Preliminary Rounds. |
Sunday, March 30 |
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| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 1 |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 2 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 3 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 4 |
| 7:00 PM | Preliminary Round 5 |
Monday, March 31 |
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| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 6 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Learning Lexis+ AI for Litigation Needs
(Columbia B, Ballroom Level) Get complex legal questions answered and complex legal documents created at the touch of a finger! |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 7 |
| 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM | Learning Lexis+ AI for Litigation Needs
(Columbia B, Ballroom Level) Get complex legal questions answered and complex legal documents created at the touch of a finger! |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 8 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 9 |
| 7:00 PM | Preliminary Round 10 |
Tuesday, April 1 |
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| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 11 |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 12 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 13 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 14 |
| 7:00 PM | Preliminary Round 15 |
Wednesday, April 2 |
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| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 16 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Learning Lexis+ AI for Litigation Needs
(Columbia B, Ballroom Level) Get complex legal questions answered and complex legal documents created at the touch of a finger! |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 17 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 18 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 19 |
| 7:00 PM | Announcement Party
(Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20037) All participants are invited to find out which Teams will advance past the Preliminary Rounds. For Jessup Teams, Team advisors, judges, volunteers, ILSA Members, and all others. Casual attire. |
Thursday, April 3 |
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| 9:00 AM | Round of 48 Run Off Round
All are invited to attend the Round of 48 Run-Off Rounds, but space may be limited. |
| 11:30 AM | Pleading Option for Round of 32 Teams
(Congressional CD) Advancing Teams should attend to exercise the Pleading Option and receive their opponents’ Memorials. |
| 2:00 PM | Round of 32 1
All are invited to attend the Round of 32, but space may be limited. |
| 5:00 PM | Round of 32 2
All are invited to attend the Round of 32, but space may be limited. |
| 8:00 PM | King & Spalding Reception, Announcement of Memorial Awards and Octo-Finalists
(Regency Ballroom, Ballroom Level) Join us for a reception where Memorial Awards as well as the Teams advancing to the Octo-Finals of the White & Case International Rounds will be announced, followed by a ceremonial coin toss and exchange of Memorials. For Jessup Teams, Team advisors, judges, volunteers, ILSA Members, and all others. |
Friday, April 4 |
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| 9:00 AM | Octo-Final Rounds
All are invited to attend the Octo-Final Rounds, but space may be limited. |
| 11:30 AM | Pleading Option for Quarter-Final Teams
(Congressional CD) Advancing Teams should attend to exercise the Pleading Option and receive their opponents’ Memorials. |
| 12:00 PM | Quarter-Final Rounds
All are invited to attend the Quarter-Final Rounds, but space may be limited. |
| 2:00 PM | Pleading Option for Semi-Final Teams
(Congressional CD) Advancing Teams should attend to exercise the Pleading Option and receive their opponents’ Memorials |
| 3:00 PM | Semi-Final Rounds
All are invited to attend the Semi-Final Rounds, but space may be limited. |
| 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | White & Case Jessup Competitors Reception
(Capitol AB) Join us for a reception immediately following the Semi-Final Rounds where the two Teams advancing to the World Championship of the White & Case International Rounds will be announced, followed by a ceremonial coin toss and exchange of Memorials. For Jessup Teams, Team advisors, judges, volunteers, ILSA Members, and all others. |
| 9:00 PM | Go-National Ball
(Regency Ballroom, Ballroom Level) All are invited to attend and encouraged to come dressed in traditional national costume or other creative attire. White & Case will have a photo booth in the ballroom for pictures throughout the event. |
Saturday, April 5 |
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| 11:00 AM | Discussion with the Jessup 2025 Problem Authors, sponsored by the Indiana University Maurer School of Law
(Regency B/C/D, Ballroom Level) The Authors of the Jessup 2025 Problem will preside over an open panel discussion for Teams to ask questions about the inspiration for and legal issues in the 2025 Problem. Coffee, tea, and light brunch fare will be provided. |
| 2:00 PM | White & Case Jessup World Championship Round
(Regency Ballroom, Ballroom Level) All are invited as the top-two Teams in the world deliver their oral arguments before an esteemed panel of judges. |
| 8:00 PM | Final Gala and Announcement of Awards
(Regency Ballroom) A night of music and dancing along with the presentation of Competition Awards. All are invited to attend. Semi-formal dress. |
Schedule
| Saturday, March 29 | |
| 10:00 AM | Team Registration |
| 10:00 AM | Orientation Fair |
| 2:00 PM | Team Orientation |
| Sunday, March 30 | |
| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 1 |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 2 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 3 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 4 |
| 7:00 PM | Preliminary Round 5 |
| Saturday, March 31 | |
| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 6 |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 7 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 8 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 9 |
| 7:00 PM | Preliminary Round 10 |
| Tuesday, April 1 | |
| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 11 |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 12 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 13 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 14 |
| 7:00 PM | Preliminary Round 15 |
| Wednesday, April 2 | |
| 9:00 AM | Preliminary Round 16 |
| 11:30 AM | Preliminary Round 17 |
| 2:00 PM | Preliminary Round 18 |
| 4:30 PM | Preliminary Round 19 |
| 7:00 PM | Announcement Event |
| 8:00 PM | Round of 48 Coin Toss |
| Thursday, April 3 | |
| 9:00 AM | Round of 48 Run Off |
| 11:30 AM | Round of 32 Coin Toss |
| 2:00 PM | Round of 32 1 |
| 5:00 PM | Round of 32 2 |
| 8:00 PM | K&S Reception, Octo-Finals Announcement / Memorial Awards Announcement |
| 9:00 PM | Coin Toss for Octo-Final Teams |
| Friday, April 4 | |
| 9:00 AM | Octo-Final Rounds |
| 11:30 AM | Coin Toss for Quarter Finals |
| 12:00 PM | Quarter-Final Rounds |
| 2:00 PM | Coin Toss for Semi-Finals |
| 3:00 PM | Semi-Final Rounds |
| 5:30 PM | White & Case Reception, Championship Round Announcement, and Final Coin Toss |
| 9:00 PM | Go-National Dress Ball and Spirit of the Jessup Award |
| Saturday, April 5 | |
| 11:00 AM | Compromis Author Discussion |
| 2:00 PM | Final Round |
| 8:00 PM | Awards Ceremony and Final Gala |
About Washington DC
Home to more than 6 million people, the Washington, D.C. area boasts world-class museums, restaurants, theaters, concerts, sporting events, and more, as well as being the capital of the United States of America. Whatever your interests may be, you can find something fun to do in Washington. The links below will help you navigate the capital city during your free time.
Rules
- Jessup 2025 Official Rules (pdf)
- Important Reminders & Summary of Changes to the Jessup 2025 Official Rules (pdf)
Rule Supplements
Rule Supplements will be posted on a rolling basis as they are approved.
Jessup 2025 Research Sponsors
