YEREVAN, Armenia — From March 27 to April 3, students from the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Master of Laws (LL.M.) program participated in the 33rd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis Moot) held in Vienna.
Vis Moot is globally recognized as one of the leading competitions in international commercial arbitration, focusing on complex issues under the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
Competing in this prestigious international platform provided an opportunity to demonstrate academic excellence, advocacy skills, and dedication to international arbitration.
The case required participants to address both substantive (merits) and procedural aspects of arbitration, including questions of jurisdiction, discourse of third-party funding agreement, and procedural strategy, alongside contract performance, damages, and exemption from liability.
The team consisted of first-year students Meri Vanuni (LL.M. ’27), Mane Hovsepyan (LL.M. ’27), Alla Tonoyan (LL.M. ’27), and Mariam Sargsyan (LL.M. ’27), under the guidance of their coaches, AUA alumni Nune Poghosyan (LL.M. ’25) and Hrach Sargsyan (LL.M. ’24), who took part in months of intensive preparation.
Preparation involved extensive legal research, drafting written memoranda, and rigorous advocacy training. This process strengthened not only the team’s legal reasoning but also their ability to structure arguments strategically, balancing procedural considerations with substantive claims.
During the oral hearings, the team presented arguments before experienced arbitrators, responded to challenging questions, and engaged in high-level legal debate. These rounds tested their analytical thinking, adaptability, and ability to navigate both procedural dynamics and substantive issues under pressure.
Beyond the competition, participation in the Vis Moot offered valuable exposure to a diverse international legal community by fostering cross-cultural exchange and deeper understanding of different legal systems.
The team’s achievement reflects their dedication, the mentorship of their coaches, and the strong academic environment of AUA. Their participation contributes to the growing presence of Armenian law students in the field of international arbitration and stands as a defining experience that will shape the students’ future legal careers.
The LL.M. program and the team are deeply grateful to Grant Hanessian, a distinguished arbitrator based in New York, for his generous financial support. With his expertise in international, investor-state, and complex commercial disputes, Hanessian’s contribution played a pivotal role in making this experience possible.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
