This page will be updated regularly with further details and announcements regarding the International Migration and Refugee Law Moot Court Competition.
The competition consists of three stages:
1. Written Pleadings (First Case)
Teams submit extended written pleadings on the first case for both the Applicant and the Respondent. The four best teams will advance to the next round.
2. Online Oral Pleadings
The four selected teams present their oral pleadings (based on the extended written submissions) before expert judges via Zoom. Two finalist teams will proceed to the in-person final round.
3. Final Round (Written and Oral Pleadings, Second Case)
The two finalist teams will address a second case. They will submit brief written pleadings (for either the Applicant or Respondent) and present their oral arguments in person at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Timeline:
- 17 December 2025, 23:59 CET: Registration deadline
- 20 January 2026: Release of the first case, case materials, and full competition rules
- 20 March 2026, 23:59 CET: Deadline for extended written pleadings
- 20 April 2026: Announcement of the four semi-finalist teams
- 30 April 2026: Online oral pleadings; announcement of the two finalist teams and release of the second case
- 29 May 2026, 23:59 CET: Deadline for brief written pleadings (second case)
- 17 June 2026: Final oral rounds at VU Amsterdam