DAV Moot Court Competition 2024 Concludes Successfully, Showcasing Talent and Passion for International Humanitarian Law

The DAV Moot Court Competition 2024 (DMCC 2024), the first-ever internal moot court competition organized by the Faculty of International Law of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, concluded at noon on Sunday, 15 September 2024, marking an important milestone in the Academy’s efforts to promote practical legal training. The competition attracted remarkable interest from students across the Academy, with 12 teams and 35 mooters participating under this year’s theme of International Humanitarian Law. The two winning teams will go on to represent DAV in the National Round of the International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition.

DMCC 2024 consisted of two main stages: the submission of written memorials and the oral pleading rounds. After weeks of rigorous research and writing, all teams submitted memorials for assessment, and the four highest-scoring teams advanced to the oral rounds. The atmosphere during the oral pleadings was intense yet inspiring, as student advocates presented their arguments with confidence, professionalism, and genuine passion for the law.

To ensure fairness, transparency, and high academic standards, the Faculty of International Law brought together an esteemed panel of judges comprising leading experts in international law and legal practice. Their experience and insights contributed significantly to the depth and quality of the final round. The judging panel included Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Phú, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Law and Treaties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Mai Ngân Hà from the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Cambridge-trained lawyer; Mr. Hoàng Ngọc Quân, attorney at Baker McKenzie Vietnam; Ms. Trịnh Phương Cầm, Australia Awards Scholarship recipient and national champion of the 2017 IHL Moot; and Ms. Nguyễn Ánh Dương, Master of Laws candidate at Oxford University and national champion of the 2018 IHL Moot.

After several hours of compelling arguments and thoughtful deliberations, DMCC 2024 concluded with outstanding performances from all participating teams. Team HUMANITAS (Team 04) emerged as the Champion, followed by Team LEGALLY NOT BLONDE (Team 10) as Runner-up. The Third Prize was awarded to Teams ELARADAWN (Team 08) and BROCCOLI (Team 11). Team HUMANITAS also received awards for Best Prosecution Memorial and Best Defence Memorial, while Team BROCCOLI earned the title of Most Popular Team. The award for Best Oralist was given to Đinh Văn Khiêm of Team HUMANITAS for his exceptional advocacy skills.

The Faculty of International Law extends its sincere congratulations to all teams and individual participants for their three months of dedication, hard work, and intellectual growth. Beyond being a competition, DMCC 2024 has served as a meaningful learning journey, one that strengthens students’ legal reasoning, advocacy skills, teamwork, and commitment to justice. The Faculty hopes that this experience will serve as a strong foundation for participants to further excel in future moot competitions and their broader legal careers.

DMCC 2024 marks a successful beginning to what promises to become an annual tradition at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam: a platform where students can challenge themselves, engage deeply with international law, and step confidently into the world of legal advocacy.