Winning the prestigious Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition not only helps prepare City University of Hong Kong (CityU) law students to enter the legal profession. It also consolidates the reputation of CityU as the best mooting school in Hong Kong and the region.
'Success in such a high-profile competition emphasises that the knowledge, skills and techniques taught at CityU meet the highest international standards,' says Rajesh Sharma, Assistant Professor at the CityU School of Law, who coached the CityU Moot team. 'Winning brings Hong Kong, the team and CityU international recognition and shows that a team from Hong Kong is as good as any of the Ivey League law schools.'
The CityU team comprised Brar Harprabdeep Singh, Ada Chan Yin-wai, Kirpalani Lavesh Prakash, Jason Lau Chirk-yen and Jessica Chow Yat-sau, with additional coaching assistance provided by Eric Ng Kar-yan, a Juris Doctor student from the CityU law programme.
'Arbitration, supplemented by mediation, is the primary method for settling international commercial and investment disputes. In Hong Kong, arbitration and mediation have become important features of the legal system and are expected to continue growing,' says Sharma.
The team is the first to reach the grand final twice consecutively in the contest's nine-year history. 'Reaching the final in two consecutive years is like climbing Everest, and sets an important benchmark,' Sharma says.
He says CityU provides a substantial platform for students to polish their skills in this field. They can broaden their views at large-scale international conferences and seminars in the field. They are also sent abroad to compete in arbitration competitions to gain practical experience.
