The final rounds of the prestigious Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition — 2026 were heldin Washington, D.C., bringing together the world’s most outstanding law students in the field of public international law.

The “TSUL Jessup” team from Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL) delivered an exceptional performance, securing 11th place in the global rankings among 164 top teams. Notably, this achievement represents the fourth consecutive successful performance of TSUL at the Jessup global level, demonstrating the university’s consistent excellence in international moot court competitions.

The competition itself is widely regarded as the largest and most prestigious moot court competition in the world, with nearly 800 teams from over 100 countries participating in national and international rounds. Organized annually by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), the Jessup Moot simulates a fictional dispute between states before the International Court of Justice, requiring participants to prepare extensive written memorials and deliver oral arguments as counsel for both applicant and respondent states.

The 2026 Jessup problem addressed a complex and contemporary dispute involving issues of state responsibility, jurisdiction, environmental protection, and the regulation of emerging technologies, reflecting real-world challenges faced in modern international law. Participants were required to engage deeply with treaties, customary international law, and jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals.

Throughout the competition, the TSUL team competed against leading universities from the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Indonesia, and Brazil. Their performance was distinguished by advanced legal analysis, strategic argumentation, and persuasive advocacy, as well as the ability to respond effectively to challenging questions from international judges.

Participation in the Jessup Moot develops a wide range of professional competencies essential for future legal practitioners, including:

ï advanced legal research and writing skills (through preparation of memorials),

ï oral advocacy and public speaking,

ï critical thinking and rapid legal analysis,

ï teamwork and strategic case management,

ï application of international law to complex, fact-based disputes.

Beyond Jessup, TSUL actively participates in numerous other international moot court competitions, further strengthening its global academic profile. These include competitions such as the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition (regional rounds), and other specialized moots in areas such as investment arbitration, human rights law, and commercial law. Consistent participation in such competitions enables TSUL students to gain exposure to diverse legal systems and international standards of advocacy.

This latest achievement confirms TSUL’s position as a leading center for legal education in the region and highlights Uzbekistan’s growing presence in the global legal academic community. Moving forward, the university aims to further enhance its moot court programs, expand international partnerships, and continue preparing highly skilled, globally competitive legal professionals.

Kholiskhon Umarova and Umida Bekmirzaeva
Law Lecturers, Business and Corportae Law Department
Tashkent State University of Law