The 2016-2017 season marks the 58th year of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. As Jessup is indeed the largest moot court competition in the world, the Law Faculty at Al-Najah National University is always keen to join in.
This year, the Faculty of Law at Al-Najah University is competing with a team of 5 students in total, and 2 of the faculty’s professors to coach and guide the team, professors Raed Abu-Badawia and professor Moyad Hatab.
Team members meet regularly to discuss their continuing research process regarding the specific Jessup case -Case concerning the Sisters of the Sun-, and to practice for oral rounds. The team went to Ramallah for an official practice for all Jessup teams competing in Jessup nationally; they watched a video to improve their body language and self-confidence. Also, they witnessed reenactments of oral sessions to develop their skills. Trainings at Al-Najah are held in the moot court room. Team members get to learn more about international law and the ICJ as they go. Furthermore, they are now focusing their efforts to prepare for the oral rounds held in Ramallah.
Last year, Al-Najah came second at both memorial and oral rounds. Moreover, Al-Najah won first place at the preliminary oral rounds. Jawwad Nabhan, who was one of the members of last year’s team, was the top second oralist nationally. This year, the team looks forward to winning first place nationally, in order to go represent Palestine in Washington DC at an international level.