The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition concluded with the announcement of winners on June 22, 2024. This year, 73 universities from around the world participated in the competition. After successfully competing in their regional rounds, the 24 best teams from 14 WTO members convened in Geneva.
Following three days of intense competition, four teams qualified for the semi-finals: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), Strathmore University (Kenya), University of Zurich (Switzerland), and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine). Ultimately, Strathmore University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv advanced to the Grand Final.
The distinguished panel of trade law experts presiding over the Grand Final was chaired by Mr. Jorge Castro, Director of the WTO Legal Affairs Division, and included Prof. Dr. Peter van den Bossche and case authors Ms. Iryna Polovets and Prof. Dr. Gracia Marín Durán. The panel also featured members of the Competition's Academic Board: Dr. Jan Yves Remy, Prof. Henry Gao, and Mr. Victor Crochet.
The winning team from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv comprised Ms. Yuliia Bulenok, Ms. Oleksandra Mykhailova, Ms. Yelyzaveta Pohrebniak, and Mr. Maksym Mykytiuk. Strathmore University's team consisted of Mr. Mark Gitau, Mr. Alex Kiwara Irungu, and Mr. Wayne Sinwa.
Both teams delivered excellent performances in the Grand Final, showcasing their oral advocacy skills and mastery of WTO law.
Students and teams were awarded prizes based on their written submissions and oratorical skills as follows:
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (France): Best Complainant Written Submission
- National Taiwan University (Chinese Taipei): Best Respondent Written Submission
- National Taiwan University (Chinese Taipei): Best Overall Written Submissions
- Ms. Sophie Martin, University of Zurich (Switzerland): Best Orator of the Preliminary Rounds
- Ms. Yuliia Bulenok, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine): Best Orator of the Quarterfinal Rounds
- Mr. Mark Gitau, Strathmore University (Kenya): Best Orator of the Semifinal Rounds
- Mr. Alex Kiwara Irungu, Strathmore University (Kenya): Best Orator in the Grand Final
Winners received prizes from the WTO as well as scholarships for courses at the World Trade Institute at the University of Bern (Switzerland). Additionally, all participants in the Final Oral Round are eligible to apply for a 50% tuition scholarship to study at Georgetown University Law Center (United States). Georgetown will designate two Jackson scholars each year.
The competition is organized by the European Law Students' Association (ELSA) with technical support from WTO since its inception in 2002.