FAQ

Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about participating in the Willem C. Vis Moot as a member of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin team.

Participation is generally possible in any semester. However, some basic legal knowledge is required, so participation in the first semester is not recommended.

The competition begins in early October and ends shortly before Easter. The first phase focuses on the written memoranda and usually ends in late January. Preparations for the oral hearings follow. In March, the most exciting part begins: travelling to Vienna and Hong Kong.

The time commitment varies between these phases but is substantial overall. As with other legal work, such as coursework or exam preparation, the period immediately before a deadline is the most intensive, but also the most exciting.

Yes. Participants have successfully completed other parts of their studies alongside every previous Moot. Some discipline is helpful, as last-minute exam preparation becomes more difficult. It therefore makes sense to prepare throughout the semester. The Moot team's schedule will, of course, take exam dates into account.

Yes. Participation can be particularly useful because the Moot is recognised as an elective specialisation course worth 4 SWS. The combined workload is higher during the winter semester and correspondingly lower during the following summer semester. The Moot team's schedule will, of course, take exam dates into account.

Yes. Many participants have held part-time jobs alongside the Moot.

It is possible to prepare for the state examination during the Moot. However, the available time can no longer be devoted entirely to exam preparation. Participation during the final phase of exam preparation, or alongside a full-time examination preparation course, is therefore not recommended.

Participation in the Moot is recognised as a reason to extend the deadline for the free attempt (Freiversuch or Freischuss), so no time towards that deadline is effectively lost. Many former participants have used the Moot as a source of motivation or as a concluding stage of their studies before beginning intensive exam preparation. The advocacy and presentation skills developed through the Moot are particularly valuable for oral examinations.

The answer is the familiar legal one: it depends. Former participants have successfully managed this combination. With some discipline, a single advanced-level exam and a part-time job should be compatible with the Moot. Completing all advanced-level exams or an entire specialisation while also working two or more days a week makes participation very demanding.

The board of the Humboldt Moot Association is happy to discuss your individual circumstances and help you assess what is feasible.

The Moot is probably the most expensive course offered to law students at Humboldt-Universität. However, participants do not have to bear the vast majority of these costs. Thanks to the continuing support of our sponsors, the Humboldt Moot Association and grants from Humboldt-Universität, the following costs are generally covered:

• Participation fees
• Return flights to Vienna
• Accommodation in Vienna
• Accommodation in Hong Kong
• Attendance at preparatory events, such as pre-moots in Warsaw, Hamburg or Stockholm

These arrangements reflect the experience of previous years and are expected to continue. Students' own contribution is therefore limited to the cost of return flights to Hong Kong. In previous years, this has always ranged from EUR 600 to EUR 800. In cases of financial hardship, we can work together to find a solution for these costs as well.

An information event about the Willem C. Vis Moot usually takes place at the Faculty of Law during the summer semester, generally between mid-June and late June. It provides an opportunity to ask questions in person. The board of the Humboldt Moot Association is also happy to answer questions at any time.

Further information about the competition is available on our Moot page and on the competition websites:

• www.cisg.law.pace.edu/vis.html (Vienna)
• www.cisgmoot.org (Hong Kong)