On 28 and 29 March 2025, the DIS opened its doors for the DIS Pre-Moot Bonn. The event was jointly organized with the Bonn Moot Association (BMA) and served as prelude to the 32nd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.
Students from seven teams and four different jurisdictions had the opportunity to improve their legal skills and exchange ideas with renowned professionals. The event was marked by intense debates, committed arbitrators, and dedicated participants, who demonstrated impressive arbitration skills and legal knowledge. We would like to sincerely thank our participants from the University of Ankara, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, WU Vienna, University of Leipzig, University of Bochum, University of Bielefeld and University of Bonn.
The opening ceremony and the first three general rounds took place at the main building, the historical Residential Palace of the University of Bonn. In the evening, members of the teams, arbitrators and organizers gathered for an informal networking evening at a local bar. On the second day, the moot court continued at the renowned Bonn-based law firm Flick Gocke Schaumburg, where both another general round as well as the semi-finals were held.
The final took place at the DIS’ villa, where the teams from the University of Bonn and WU Vienna competed. After an intense debate and a careful evaluation by the arbitral tribunal, the University of Bonn’s team was chosen as the winning team. The tribunal consisted of Ramona Sorgenfrei (Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP), Matthias Weller (Institute for German and International Civil Procedure Law at the University of Bonn), and, in the role of the presiding arbitrator, Reinmar Wolff (DIS deputy chairman of the board of directors).
The event ended with a festive award ceremony which was followed by a closing reception in the DIS’ villa, where participants were able to reflect on their experiences and deepen their contacts. The DIS Pre-Moot Bonn not only offered students the opportunity to improve their legal skills, but also served as a platform for the exchange of ideas and the strengthening of international arbitration.
We would like to thank all participants, coaches, arbitrators, sponsors (Flick Gocke Schaumburg, CMS Hasche Sigle Cologne, White & Case and the University of Bonn), and supporters who contributed to the success of the DIS Pre-Moot Bonn.
Vincent Stadelmaier and Jakob Riedel
