The Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv sent a team last week to compete in the international rounds of the 2014 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

The team represented Ukraine in the White & Case international rounds of the competition last week in Washington. The team was sponsored by Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners, a national law firm in the CIS.

The national round of the competition took place February 14-16. This is the 55th year of the competition, which is the largest moot court competition in the world. It brings together participants from more than 90 countries and 600 law schools.

The competition simulates fictional disputes between countries in the United Nations' judicial organ, the International Court of Justice. Teams prepare oral and written arguments for both sides of the case.

Teams also work on a different "Jessup Problem" each year. The 2014 problem revolved around the conflict between maritime development and conservation, criminal jurisdiction and maritime salvage rights.

The winning team received the White & Case Jessup Cup.