Virtual Vis Mooting and Recalibrating for the Future 09 April 2020 This year we were delighted to have the LCIA Arbitration Rules adopted for the Annual Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vienna Vis Moot), the Vis Moot East, and all Pre-Moots which follow their lead, including our own annual London Pre-Moot co-hosted with the LSE. As announced a short time ago by the LCIA Director General, Professor Dr Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof (Jackie), we would like to congratulate both the winning team of the Vienna Vis Moot, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, and the runners up, University of Freiburg, who all did an outstanding job in these new and challenging circumstances. The Vienna Vis Moot Finals, watch the recording of the final here, and the result here The organisers worked tirelessly to convert the Moot into a virtual Moot with the final being lived streamed on Facebook, ensuring the continuation of this important introduction to the world of arbitration for the next generation. The resilience of the organisers and participants will help us recalibrate and adjust to the rapidly changing world, as noted by both the President of the LCIA Court, Paula Hodges QC, and Jackie, who were Judges for the finals at the Vis Moot East and the Vienna Vis Moot respectively. Paula Hodges QC delivering ‘virtual’ opening remarks for the Vis Moot East, which will be available here "The cancellation of the in-person Vis East Moot competition in Hong Kong due to the Covid-19 outbreak was met with bitter disappointment from the students and arbitrators alike. It was also very disappointing for the LCIA as our arbitration rules had been selected for the 2020 competition. Undaunted by the extremely challenging times in which we are living, Louise Barrington and her team set about arranging a virtual competition instead. I was extremely honoured to participate in the virtual final between teams from the University of Sao Paolo Largo San Francisco and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Both teams were outstanding and completely composed despite being located on opposite sides of the world with the judges in London, Munich and Hong Kong. The technology also worked beautifully and gave us an insight into the future world of virtual arbitration hearings. There is no doubt that it can be done, and done very effectively. So not only was the mooting competition able to go ahead with great aplomb, but it is also shone a light on the way we must adapt going forward." - Paula Professor Dr Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof delivering ‘virtual’ opening remarks for the Vienna Vis Moot, which may be viewed in full here “We are delighted that the LCIA Arbitration Rules are being used for this year's Vis Moot competition. We are also delighted that the Vis Moot is still taking place, as did the Vis East in Hong Kong, albeit in both cases virtually. The fact that this is possible is due to the incredible efforts of the whole team, and in particular I would like to thank Stefan, Christopher, Patrizia and Birgit, who have done an amazing job. Obviously, we are all disappointed not to be in Vienna physically. We are happy that at least some pre-moots could be held in person including a few weeks ago the LCIA-LSE pre-moot in London. Nevertheless, I suggest we should take a moment to reflect on the significance of having a virtual moot. We have become used to almost unlimited travel and meetings and now that we are confronted with an emergency, we are forced to think about the ‘new normal’. All around us, in universities, law firms, institutions, in all of society we are recalibrating. How can we work productively, effectively, sustainably? Hearing centres are adjusting; arbitration proceedings are adjusted; university courses are being amended. Hopefully, in the not too distant future we will be able to revert to a more normal life, but that will not be the same as the old life. And in re-creating this Vis as a virtual event, you, we are part of this transition and we should be proud of that. We will come out better and stronger.” - Jackie. Our congratulations and thanks again to all organisers, students, coaches and volunteer arbitrators who have given their time and effort to these events and we look forward to next year and the new normal! Wishing you all good health and that you stay safe during this time.