The 21st "CIETAC Cup" International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Debate Competition took place from November 29th to December 8th, 2023, at the Beijing International Chamber of Commerce Building. Following a series of intense matches, our school's delegation emerged victorious, clinching the first-place team award for the first time in six years and securing a national ranking of fifth—our most impressive performance since the inception of our participation in this competition. Additionally, team member Zhao Yuhang was honored with the "Best Debater" title during the quarterfinals, while Zhou Yida also received the same accolade in a separate quarterfinal round. Liao Wanjun and Cheng Feiyue were each recognized as "Best Debater" in the round-robin stage, and Gu Shengye was awarded the "Team Outstanding Contribution Award" for his exceptional contributions.
01 Competition Introduction
The "CIETAC Cup" stands as the premier English-language mock court competition in the realm of international commercial arbitration within China. It is also the first global preliminary and China regional competition to be officially recognized by the highly esteemed "Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Debate Competition" ("Vis Moot"). Conducted entirely in English, the competition features a simulated arbitration tribunal comprising senior arbitrators from CIETAC, renowned legal practitioners from both domestic and international circles, and other industry experts. Participants assume the roles of claimants and respondents in arbitration cases, engaging in various stages of the arbitration hearing process. Throughout the competition, the teams present, defend, and debate their positions based on carefully crafted simulated cases, which profoundly enhances their proficiency in international business legal practice and sharpens their practical skills.
This year's debate competition has set a new record with the participation of 97 representative teams from both domestic and international backgrounds, collectively amassing over 1000 participants. The event has garnered the expertise of approximately 350 Chinese and international arbitrators, legal professionals, and specialists to preside as judges, and a comprehensive schedule of 208 matches has been meticulously organized.
02 Team Introduction
Our school's representative team was coached by Professor Pei Yang, with Cheng Feiyue, an undergraduate student from the 2021 Elite Experimental Class in Law, serving as the team captain. Onstage debaters included Zhao Yuhang and Zhou Yida, students from the 2022 JM program, Liao Wanjun, an undergraduate student from the 2020 Elite Experimental Class in Law and Cheng Feiyue, an undergraduate student from the 2021 Elite Experimental Class in Law. Other team members included Gu Shengye, a student from the 2022 JM program, Li Mingrui, an undergraduate student from the 2021 Maxdo Experimental Class in Law, Zheng Han, an undergraduate student from the 2021 Elite Experimental Class in Law, and Liu Huixin and Liu Xinyue, undergraduate students from the 2022 Elite Experimental Class in Law.
From left to right: Liu Xinyue, Cheng Feiyue, Li Mingrui, Zhao Yuhang, Teacher Pei Yang, Zhou Yida, Gu Shengye, Liao Wanjun, Zheng Han, Liu Huixin
03 Event Review
During the round-robin phase, our school's delegation encountered a series of formidable opponents, including the teams from Fudan University, Beijing University of Technology and Business, South China Normal University, and Nanjing University of Technology. Our contestants approached each challenge with thorough preparation and composure, adeptly addressing the arbitrator's inquiries. Their performance exemplified the professional caliber and exemplary conduct of our students. Ultimately, they secured the top position in the standings among all competing teams, qualifying them for the round of 16 and propelling them into the elimination stage with distinction.
On December 6th, our school's representative team emerged victorious against the Shantou University team, securing a robust entry into the quarterfinals. In the ensuing quarterfinal match, our team engaged in a closely fought contest but ultimately suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of the Dalian Maritime University team, concluding their journey in the quarterfinal round.
04 Preparation Process
The competition team began training new players in May 2023. After the competition questions were released on October 7th, the team immediately began preparing the arbitration application letter (Memorandum for Applicant) and arbitration defense letter (Memorandum for Respondent). The team members regularly conducted evaluations, delved into the competition topics, conducted literature searches and wrote pleadings, and organized simulated court debates. In the preparation stage, despite objective difficulties such as tight time constraints, the entire team remained united and gave their all. After nearly half a year of careful preparation, the team has achieved excellent results in the competition, which is the best reward for the unity and hard work of all team members.
The Vis Moot team from Beijing Normal University has achieved stellar results this year, a testament to the dedicated support of the Law School's faculty, the invaluable contributions of former BNU Vis Moot participants, and the meticulous mentorship provided by external legal professionals and experts. Throughout the preparation phase, past team members including Li Haochen, Zhou Jinli, Cheng Bihan, Lv Muyang, Hu Xiaohan, Geng Zhi, Ren Yuting, Zhu Zhuoqi, and Fu Dianxun imparted their rich experience in document drafting and courtroom advocacy to the current team members. Coach Pei Yang orchestrated consultations with Zhao Huili, a partner at Junhe Law Firm, and Hou Peng, a partner at King & Wood Mallesons, who offered targeted guidance on courtroom defense, providing insightful advice on speech content and defense tactics. Moreover, during the elimination rounds, Chen Ruojian and Ding Jie, partners at the Beijing Office of Duan and Duan Law Firm, further enriched the team's advocacy skills with their courtroom experience. The collective expertise, guidance, support, and encouragement from seasoned team alumni and external advisors significantly bolstered the team's resolve.
In parallel, the competition team engaged in fruitful exchanges with representatives from other universities such as China University of Political Science and Law, Nanjing University, Wuhan University, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, School of Foreign Affairs, Central South University of Economics and Law, Tongji University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, making substantial advancements in arbitration law knowledge and legal debate proficiency.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to this success. Our representative team is committed to participating in the upcoming international competitions in Vienna and Hong Kong next year. We are confident that the members of this Vis Moot team will continue to push the boundaries and achieve even greater heights of excellence.
Text and Images | BNU Vis Moot Team