GENEVA — Strathmore University of Kenya has been crowned the overall winner of the 23rd edition of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition on WTO law, beating out West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences from India in the Grand Final held in Geneva.
The World Trade Organization co-hosted the Final Oral Round of the competition from June 10 to 14, bringing together 24 teams from 15 WTO member countries following regional rounds held worldwide.
“This is a testament to the high level of advocacy, legal knowledge, and commitment these students have demonstrated,” said Gabrielle Marceau, Professor Emerita from the University of Geneva, who chaired the distinguished panel of adjudicators.
The winning team from Strathmore University included Anthony Kigochu Mburu, Clare Wangeci Kaira, and Javier Delmar Mario. Kaira also received the Best Orator award in the Grand Final and in the quarterfinal rounds, underscoring her standout performance throughout the competition.
The runner-up team from West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences featured Pragya Mittal, Nupur Gupta, Rohini Mehta, and Piyush Barshini Mohapatra.
Four teams made it to the semifinals: Strathmore University and Kenyatta University from Kenya, the University of International Business and Economics from China, and West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences from India.
Now in its 23rd year, the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition is organized by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) and simulates a hearing under WTO dispute settlement rules. Students argue international trade law cases before panels of expert adjudicators, including professors, practitioners, and former WTO panelists.
“This competition is about more than just winning—it builds future leaders in global trade,” said Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, Chair of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body, who presented awards at the closing ceremony.
Additional awards included:
Best Complainant Written Submission: National Law School of India University
Best Respondent Written Submission: University of Münster, Germany
Best Overall Written Submissions: Maastricht University, Netherlands
Best Orator (Preliminary Rounds): Michelle Hennessey, University of Ottawa, Canada
Best Orator (Quarterfinals): Clare Kaira (Strathmore University) and Tianzi Chang (UIBE, China)
Best Orator (Semifinals): Celine Maina, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Participants also received scholarships and academic prizes from WTO staff, the Advisory Centre on WTO Law, Georgetown University, and the World Trade Institute at the University of Bern.
The WTO has supported the competition as a technical partner since its inception in 2002, viewing it as a vital part of its legal education and capacity-building initiatives.
