From Cavendish to Nairobi: Experiences and reflections on the 2nd Annual East Africa Pre-Moot
By Gloria Nasijje
Cavendish University Vis Moot Team Member
The 30th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot ("Vis Moot") provides a valuable avenue for students to become knowledgeable about international sales law and international arbitration. It was a wonderful opportunity to be among the eight team members selected to participate representing Cavendish University, Uganda, in this prestigious Moot.
Team Cavendish was composed of Kihembo Marysent Abiine, Kirabo Marilyn Abiine, Kiconco Marian Abiine (also known as the Abi triplets), Lukowe Winfred, Sunday Sharif, Birunji John, Bundi Julius and myself, Nasijje Gloria. Starting the Vis Moot journey with different individuals seemed difficult in the beginning but eventually, we were able to adapt and work together. We began by structuring arguments for the Claimant memorandum from scratch, which was challenging because we did not know much about commercial arbitration and had a looming deadline set for just 8 December 2022! However, with the guidance of our local coaches Ayeranga Godfrey, Aheebwa Rogers and Fatou Jaiteh, and our satellite coaches Letizia Busso and Tamar Meshel (not to mention a few sleepless nights) we were able to successfully prepare the Claimant memorandum and submit. Researching and restructuring our arguments amidst having lectures to attend and coursework to complete helped us to multi-task, comply with the deadline and deliver on time.
Shortly after exams and the Christmas break, we had to resume working on the Respondent memorandum that was due on 26 January 2023. This was less taxing compared to the Claimant memorandum as we had a document to respond to. This enabled us to take a short break after the submission of the Respondent memorandum before starting the preparations of oral arguments for the upcoming East Africa Pre-Moot that was held between 21-25 February 2023. This was a new journey of its own.
Along the way, the spotlight series organized by Africa in the Moot enabled us to understand the legal jurisdictions and cultures of different countries as the Vis teams each did presentations about their countries. The educational training series streamlined our approach to the Vis Moot, especially the sessions led by Professor Gary Born and Professor Emilia Onyema.
I was honoured to be among the four students on the team selected to represent Cavendish University Uganda at the East Africa Pre-Moot. Nairobi is a beautiful city that we arrived in on the 21 February 2023 and headed to the Tamarind Hotel, a convenient location for our commute to Strathmore Law School where the sessions were held. The first two days were extremely educational as we had Ibtesam Mustafa and Jamie Earls, students from Loyola University Chicago, present a summary on the moot problem. Other sessions on substantive issues moderated by Erin Cronjé, Tijmen Klein Bronsvoort, Fenan Estifanos and Irene Muhoro were also helpful and provided insight that aided our understanding of the moot problem. Additionally, the presentations on oral advocacy by John Paul Putney, Ileana Smeureanu and Heather Martin of Jones Day, were incredibly valuable. On the evening of 22 February 2023, we had an opportunity to interact with many of the lawyers who would be acting as our arbitrators at Anjarwalla & Khanna’s (ALN) offices, over drinks and dinner. They shared with us their life experiences which was very energizing for upcoming lawyers like us.
On 23 February 2023, the panel discussion headed by Judge Ann Clare Williams on the rule of law further motivated us in our mission as future lawyers. Later in the morning, we had the pleasure to plead against the Vis Moot teams of Strathmore Law School, University of Lesotho and University of Cape Town. We appreciated the valuable feedback we got from the experienced arbitration practitioners. After all this excitement, we had a great time going to the Carnivore Restaurant where I got to eat crocodile meat for the very first time!
In the blink of an eye, it was time to go back to Kampala, but not without wonderful memories. Participating in the Vis Moot improved my communication, advocacy, research and networking skills. I whole-heartedly appreciate Africa in the Moot and its partners that made it possible for all the 10 teams to participate in the East Africa Pre-Moot.