From March 30 to April 6, 2025, Washington, D.C., hosted the 66th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Widely recognized as the “Olympics” of the moot court community, the Jessup is the world’s largest and oldest competition of its kind. Organized by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), the event requires participants to simulate proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), presenting both written and oral arguments on hypothetical international law disputes. This year’s complex case addressed pressing global issues, including the interpretation of jurisdiction clauses, the exercise of universal jurisdiction, criminal immunity of state officials in foreign courts, government recognition, and foreign state property immunity. Notably, it also explored the interpretation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the context of climate change and rising sea levels.
Figure 1: BNU team once again competes in the international competition in Washington.
After six months of arduous preparation, the team from the School of Law of Beijing Normal University won the runner-up and first prize in the China division, and once again qualified to represent China in the Washington International Competition.
Figure 2: Team group photo.
This year’s competition saw 803 universities from 106 countries and regions vie for a spot in Washington, D.C., with only 152 elite teams ultimately advancing to the international rounds. Drawn into a highly competitive preliminary pool, our team faced formidable opponents, including the University of Nairobi, the University of Toronto (a top-16 global finisher), Eötvös Loránd University (the 2019 global champion), and St. Augustine University of Tanzania. Despite the immense pressure and rigorous questioning from the bench, our students maintained exceptional composure. They delivered clear, logically sound arguments that showcased the profound legal acumen and confident demeanor characteristic of BNU law students. Although the team narrowly missed the cutoff for the Global Top 32, they achieved a remarkable feat by finishing fourth worldwide in the affirmative rounds.
Figure 3: Competition Scene
The Jessup team from Beijing Normal University was formed in April 2024, with Professor Liao Shiping from the Law School serving as the coach. Team members include: Team Leader Ran Jinxuan (undergraduate student of the 2022 Elite Experimental Class in Law), Xi Ya (undergraduate student of the 2021 Maxdo Experimental Class), Zhang Zichao, Yang Jin (undergraduate student of the 2021 Elite Experimental Class in Law), Qu Boyi (undergraduate student of the 2022 Elite Experimental Class in Law), Qin Luyi (PhD student in Law, 2024), Li Mingyu, Xu Hao (2023 JM Program), Zhang Boju (2023 LL.M. in International Law), Huang Jing (2024 JM Program), Zheng Yuexi, Li Ruiyuan, Chen Yiyan (undergraduate student of the 2023 Elite Experimental Class in Law).
Figure 4: Group Photo with Judges and Opponent Team
The outstanding achievements of the BNU Jessup team are built upon the Law School’s unwavering support, the dedicated mentorship of Coach Liao Shiping, and a strong legacy of alumni. During the grueling preparation phase, the current roster received tremendous backing from former team members, including Guo Zixuan, Chen Liang, Cheng Shuang, Yang Chen, Guo Yiwei, Liu Mingxin, Li Zhoujie, Guo Zihe, Liu Jianing, Chang Jingzi, Zhang Yi, Qu Shen, Yin Nuohao, and Liu Yueying.
Since first entering the arena in 2017, BNU has forged a formidable reputation in the Jessup China division. This remarkable legacy speaks for itself: nine appearances, eight National First Prizes, and seven qualifications for the international rounds.
Engaging in premier international moot court competitions has become a defining hallmark of the BNU Law School. As the school continues to deepen its internationalization strategy and invest in student advocacy, there is no doubt that BNU will continue to produce outstanding global legal talents ready to take on the world stage.