Yogyakarta, April 22, 2022 — After eight months of dedicated preparation and hard work, the Universitas Gadjah Mada delegation once again achieved remarkable success at the 29th Willem C. Vis (West) International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis Moot). The team consisted of Alya Lathifah Sofhian (FH UGM 2018), Aqshal Adzka (FH UGM 2019), Samiel Amadeus Hutapea (FH UGM 2019), Yonathan Bryan King (FH UGM 2019), Rafa Jafar (FH UGM 2021), Stephani Gabriella Wijayawati (FH UGM 2021), and Olanda Naomi Adhira (FH UGM 2020), under the supervision of Fadhilatul Hikmah, S.H., LL.M. Since its establishment in 1994, the Vis Moot has consistently maintained its reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious international moot court competitions in the field of international commercial law, promoting arbitration as an effective dispute resolution mechanism. Through participation in the competition, students are challenged to develop advanced legal research, analytical reasoning, and advocacy skills, enabling them to deepen their understanding of international arbitration theory and practice. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UGM delegation demonstrated that perseverance and commitment can lead to success at both the national and international levels.
In addition to competing in the main Vis Moot competition, the UGM delegation actively participated in various Pre-Moot events. These friendly competitions are organized by universities, law firms, and leading arbitration institutions around the world using the same case problem as the Vis Moot, providing participants with valuable opportunities to test and refine their arguments before the main competition. The delegation achieved numerous notable accomplishments throughout these Pre-Moot events, including: Champion, 12th Vis Indonesia Pre-Moot; 1st Best Oralist, Stephani Gabriella Wijayawati, 12th Vis Indonesia Pre-Moot; 2nd Best Oralist, Stephani Gabriella Wijayawati, 8th Lazareff Le Bars Vis Dubai Pre-Moot; 2nd Best Oralist, Stephani Gabriella Wijayawati, Asia Pacific Vis Pre-Moot 2022; Top 16 out of 146 Teams, 6th AIAC Vis Pre-Moot; 5th Best Oralist, Stephani Gabriella Wijayawati, 6th AIAC Vis Pre-Moot.
At the 29th Willem C. Vis (West) International Commercial Arbitration Moot, the UGM delegation earned a place among the Top 64 out of 365 teams, receiving an Honorable Mention for the Eric E. Bergsten Award. Stephani Gabriella Wijayawati also received individual recognition by earning both the Best Individual Oralist Award and an Honorable Mention for the Martin Domke Award. In addition, the UGM delegation ranked 13th out of 362 teams in the oral argument rounds with a total score of 2,165, placing the team alongside internationally renowned institutions such as Seoul National University, London School of Economics and Political Science, Singapore Management University, University of Hamburg, and University of Cambridge.
The delegation’s outstanding achievements are expected to inspire and motivate other FH UGM students to pursue opportunities in international arbitration competitions and further develop their advocacy and legal research skills. The entire FH UGM Vis Moot delegation would like to express its deepest gratitude to all coaches, lecturers, alumni, and fellow students at FH UGM for their invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement throughout their journey.
