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What is the FDI Moot?

A moot is a competition for law students, designed to simulate the experience of case preparation and advocacy before real-life tribunals. The FDI Moot is a global moot competition held annually, focused on the dynamic and challenging area of international investment law – law which defines the respective rights and obligations of host States and foreign investors. Mooters will get an opportunity to analyze the Moot problem and advocate on behalf of both the claimant (foreign investor) and respondent (host State).

Why should I participate?

The FDI Moot is a great opportunity to develop your analytical and advocacy skills, as well as your understanding of international investment law and the procedural dynamics of investor-state arbitration. In addition to the rewarding intellectual experience, it is also a great forum to meet similarly-minded young lawyers/ law students, network with investment and arbitration law experts from around the world, and get noticed for a future career in the field.

Who can participate?

Geographic Scope The Asia-Pacific Regional Rounds are limited to participants from law schools in the following countries (listed alphabetically): Australia, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam. If your country is not listed, you may be able to participate through a different process – please see http://www.fdimoot.org/regionals.php. Eligibility To participate, teams need approval from their Law School, and each Law School may only send one team. However, an undergraduate team from the same university may apply as a separate team. While there are no maximum limits on the number of team members, the registration fee covers the participation of four team members and a coach at the oral rounds. Previous participation in the FDI Moot does not make team members ineligible for this year's competition. Participants need to be enrolled in a program of undergraduate or advanced legal studies when they become team members, or will have completed such a program less than six months prior to the deadline to submit memorials. Students who have or will be admitted to the bar or legal practice in any jurisdiction more than four months prior to the deadline for submitting memorials may only participate with the prior written consent of the Organizers. A visiting student, a student enrolled as an extern or apprentice may become a team member. Non-law students may also be allowed to participate with the prior written consent of the Organizers. For further information about eligibility, please consult Section 3 of the Competition Rules, available at http://www.fdimoot.org/

When and where are the Regional Rounds being held?

The Asia-Pacific Regional Rounds (from which the top 5 teams will progress to the global finals) will take place in Seoul, Korea. The venue for the next FDI Moot Asia-Pacific Regional Rounds will be posted in the near future.

What about the Global Rounds?

The Global Rounds take place in various locations. The venue for the 2014 General Rounds will be Pepperdine University Law School in Malibu, California.