Vis Moot

The 2025-2026 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is a competition for law students to foster the study and practice of international commercial sales law and arbitration. Students from all countries are eligible (students from over 80 jurisdictions participated in the 31st Vis Moot). The Moot involves a dispute arising out of a contract of sale between two countries that are party to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The contract provides that any dispute that might arise is to be settled by arbitration in Danubia, a country that has enacted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration and is a party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. The arbitral rules to be applied rotate yearly among the arbitration rules of co-sponsoring institutions of the Moot. Learn more at https://www.vismoot.org/.

Read about the 2024-2025 team’s experience here!

2025 Boston Pre-Moot

BU Law is proud to host the the Boston Vis Pre-Moot, co-sponsored by Africa in the Moot. These virtual practice rounds will take place March 29-30, 2025. To reserve your team’s spot or register as an arbitrator, contact Dimitrios Ioannidis, Esq. (ioannidis@rimlawyers.com).

Reasons to Get Involved

  • Learn to determine questions of contract relating to sales transactions in the context of a dispute.
  • Learn to resolve international commercial disputes by arbitration.
  • Engage with students from places all over the world and foster collaborative relationships.
  • Represent BU Law at an international event.
  • Gain hands-on experience in arbitration and receive feedback from experienced arbitration practitioners.

Coursework

The Vis is open to 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLM students, although only a limited number of students can travel to the competition. Because the subject matter of the Vis is complex and the time commitment involved in competing is significant, BU Law offers a course that students interested in being on the Vis team should take: Vis International Commercial Arbitration (JD 715). Most, if not all, members of the Vis team will be selected from students enrolled in that course. That course also has a pre- or co-requisite course: International Law Research (JD 707). This pre-requisite may be waived with permission of the course instructor. A limited number of LLM students may enroll in the course.

Students interested in being selected for the Vis team should also consider taking International Business Arbitration (JD 980) or International Business Transactions (JD 842), if they are offered. International Law (JD 927), International Trade Regulation (JD 858), or Transaction Simulation: Int’l Business Collaboration (JD 783) are also good substitutes for these courses.

Finally, students who are not able to enroll in Vis International Commercial Arbitration (JD 715) may still apply to be on the team by completing this application form. Preference will be given to students enrolled in Vis the course or who have previously taken the Vis course, however. If you are a 2L student who cannot enroll in the Vis course as a 2L, we would strongly recommend taking International Law Research (JD 707) and another recommended course your 2L year, then enrolling in the Vis course for your 3L year, as preference will be given to students in the course during the relevant competition year.

If you have questions about these requirements, please contact Jen McCloskey (jataylor@bu.edu).

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm your availability for all competition dates, which will be noted here: https://www.vismoot.org/. The 2026 Moot will likely take place from March 26 through April 2. Additional pre-moots will likely be scheduled, subject to team availability.

Step 2: Enroll in Vis International Commercial Arbitration (JD 715) or complete the online application.

Step 2a: Make sure to attach your resume to the application form.