Results of the 2007/2008 Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court:

–    Halle-Wittenberg wins 2007/2008 competition

–    Best Advocate comes from St Gallen University

The 2007/2008 Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court was held on 14-16 February 2008 at the premises of the Frankfurt International Arbitration Center (FIAC). In connection with the Moot, a roundtable of 50 arbitration specialists, state-representatives and investors discussed the question of “Access to Travaux Préparatoires in Investment Treaty Arbitration”. The discussions were led by Emmanuel Gaillard, Antonio Parra and VV Veeder.

In the first semi-final, St Gallen (Switzerland) prevailed over Freiburg (Germany) before a tribunal composed of Veijo Heiskanen (President), Ahmed El-Kosheri and Kaj Hobér. In the second semi-final, Hans van Houtte (President), Michael Collins and Antonio Parra, saw Halle-Wittenberg (Germany) come up on top of La Trobe University, Melbourne (Australia).

In a closely contested moot final, the teams of St Gallen and Halle-Wittenberg crossed swords in front of Emmanuel Gaillard (President), Karl-Heinz Böckstiegel and VV Veeder. Halle-Wittenberg carried the day. Judge Bruno Simma and Emmanuel Gaillard awarded the prize for Best Advocate to Lukas Rusch of St Gallen.

The Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court is the first student moot court to concentrate on the law of investment protection. Its unique format with an emphasis on oral advocacy helps students to develop key skills for their future careers. This year’s case discussed the consequences of a potential state succession on the rights of investors in the affected area.

The Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court is organised by the Wilhelm Merton Centre for European Integration and International Economic Order of Johann Wolfgang Goethe University. This year’s Moot was sponsored by Hughes Hubbard Reed, Mannheimer Swartling, Fraport AG, Oxford University Press and Dewey & LeBoeuf.