Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2025
The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is an opportunity for undergraduate and Masters students from all universities around the world. Students can compete in teams of two, with emphasis on gender diversity, by submitting arguments for a hypothetical human rights case.
Students from the top 10 teams in each of the five UN regions will be selected to participate in the online preliminary rounds. These 50 teams will argue the different sides of the case before human rights experts and international tribunal judges.
SUMMARY:
- Program Sponsor(s): Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court
- Host Institution(s): The Commonwealth Secretariat
- Funding Amount: Funded
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: Undergraduate and Masters students
- Nationality: Worldwide
Eligibility Criteria
If you are a student from any university anywhere in the world and need financial assistance to participate, you are eligible to apply for the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
The final in-person rounds will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and the preliminary virtual rounds are scheduled to take place online.
The Competition is Organised by:
- Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
- Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University, Washington College of Law
- The Commonwealth Secretariat, and
- United Nations Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB) at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
With the financial support of:
- European Union through the Global Campus of Human Rights
- Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva
- South African Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva and
- The Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: To apply for The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition, submit your application online.
For more information, please contact the Nelson Mandela World Moot Court Competition Coordinator Mr Tapiwa Mhuru with the email [email protected].
Application Deadline: April 21, 2025
Visit the Official Website for Further Details
FAQs
What is the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2025?
The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2025 is an international event organized by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It brings together law students from around the world to argue human rights cases in front of international jurists, fostering legal advocacy, awareness, and the protection of human rights globally.
Who can participate in the competition?
The competition is open to undergraduate and master’s law students from any university worldwide. Each university is usually represented by a team of two students who argue hypothetical human rights cases before a simulated International Human Rights Court.
How is the competition structured?
The competition has two main phases: the written and oral rounds. In the written stage, participating teams submit legal memorials based on a hypothetical human rights case. The oral rounds, usually held in Geneva, Switzerland, involve selected teams presenting arguments before panels of international human rights experts, judges, and scholars.
What are the benefits of participating?
Participants gain invaluable experience in human rights law, advocacy, and legal writing. They also network with leading human rights experts, judges, and fellow law students from across the globe. Beyond career opportunities, the competition promotes cultural exchange and strengthens the global fight for justice and human rights.
