CLDP held a four-day Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Training in Sarajevo, BiH on October 11-14, 2014. The annual Vis Moot, held in Vienna, Austria, is the pre-eminent international moot on commercial law and arbitration.  In 2014, teams from 290 universities and 64 countries took part in the written and oral advocacy competition. The program in Sarajevo featured presentations, video demonstrations, group discussions, take-home assignments, and interactive practice and coaching sessions. This initial program included comprehensive training on two of the three main elements of the Vis Moot preparatory process: legal research and analysis and memoranda writing. The sessions were led by student advisors/Vis Moot alumni from the University of Pittsburgh School Of Law, members of BiH’s Association ARBITRI, and a CLDP Attorney-Advisor.

Presentation topics included conflicts of law in arbitration, distinguishing between substantive and procedural issues, formulating arguments and structuring memos for claimant and respondent, key components of legal analysis and writing, development of a Vis Moot memo roadmap, and Vis team deadlines, roles, and responsibilities. Participants in the program included student Vis Moot teams from the University of Sarajevo and the University of Zenica as well as other interested University of Sarajevo students and members of BiH’s Association ARBITRI. University faculty and coaches also took part in a separate half-day session on the university requirements and support needed for participation in the Vis Moot. Faculty representatives from all eight public law universities in BiH – the University Džemal Bijedić Mostar, University of Tuzla, University of Banja Luka, University of Istočno Sarajevo, University of Zenica, University of Bihać, University of Mostar, and the University of Sarajevo – attended.  On October 13, an arbitration awareness event – focused on highlighting the Vis Moot program and creating greater awareness for arbitration – was held with invitees from local and international law firms, trade and business associations, judges, and other interested stakeholders.

CLDP and the University of Pittsburgh School Of Law will extend continuous assistance to participating universities and will return to BiH in February 2015 to implement a training program on the third and final element of the Vis Moot preparatory process: oral advocacy. Moreover, the University of Pittsburgh advisor team will accompany the BiH Vis Moot teams to Vienna in April 2015 to provide guidance and coaching throughout the competition. This program will improve the knowledge of BiH law students and university faculty of international commercial law and arbitration and will help develop institutionalized Vis Moot programs in universities throughout BiH.