HKU ranks 9th and wins M. Cherif Bassiouni Award – Top Memorials from the National & Regional Rounds for Written Memorial in the Jessup Moot in Washington DC

From left: Mr Thomas Lam (Coach), Mr Matthew See, Ms Cherie Cheung, Mr Jonathan Ho, Mr Evan Robinson, Mr Fergus Tam (Coach)

Congratulations to HKU Jessup team for winning the M. Cherif Bassiouni Award – Top Memorials from the National & Regional Rounds for Written Memorial, in the Jessup Moot in Washington DC.

After prevailing as the Overall Champion in the regional rounds of the 2026 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, the HKU Jessup Team represented Hong Kong in the White & Case Jessup International Rounds held in Washington DC, USA from 28 March 2026 to 4 April 2026. 

Out of more than 700 teams who participated in National Rounds and Regional Rounds, 164 teams went on to participate in the White & Case Jessup International Rounds in one of the largest and most prestigious international mooting competitions in the world. 

This year, the Team captured the M. Cherif Bassiouni Award (known until 2025 as the Hardy C. Dillard Award) for ranking 9th worldwide out of more than 700 teams for its excellent combined scores of both the Applicant and Respondent memorials. This is the first time HKU has won the M. Cherif Bassiouni Award (or its predecessor) since 2006. 

The M. Cherif Bassiouni Award recognises excellence in Memorial writing. The Memorials of the Team with the highest total Memorial score in each National or Regional Round shall be entered to compete for the M. Cherif Bassiouni Award. Each Memorial eligible to compete for the M. Cherif Bassiouni Award is graded by five judges. 

This year’s Jessup moot problem concerned the issues of intervention of non-party states, indigenous rights, general principles of international law and immunities of state-owned enterprises. The 2026 HKU Team, consisting of Cherie Cheung (PCLL), Jonathan Ho (PCLL), Evan Robinson (PCLL), and Matthew See (LLB III), displayed excellence in both written and oral advocacy at all stages of the competition. 

The Team would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the coaches, Mr Fergus Tam and Mr Thomas Lam, for their valuable feedback and support in their final year of coaching HKU’s Jessup Team. The Team would also like to thank the guest judges, Ms Natalie So, Mr Ryan Cheung, Mr Raphael Leung, Mr Jason Louie, Mr Alex CH Chan, Mr Ambrose Yu, Ms Tiffany Ng, Ms Faith Lee, Ms Holly Leung, Ms Ally Chan, Mr Leo Pang, Mr Chung Hin Yue, and Ms Veronica Yu for their kind assistance, helpful advice and rigorous advocacy training before the Hong Kong regional round, as well as in preparation for the international rounds.

HKU Jessup Team crowned 2026 Hong Kong Overall Champion

The HKU Jessup Team was declared the Hong Kong Overall Champion in the 2026 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 28 February 2026. The Jessup Moot is also known as one of the most prestigious international mooting competitions in the world. This year’s Jessup problem concerned the issues of intervention of non-party states, indigenous rights, general principles of international law and immunities of state-owned enterprises.

The Team consists of Cherie Cheung (PCLL), Jonathan Ho (PCLL), Evan Robinson (PCLL), and Matthew See (LLB3). In addition to the Champion title, the Team was awarded both the Best Applicant Memorial Award and the Best Respondent Memorial Award, as well as two Best Oralist awards, with Evan Robinson and Cherie Cheung winning the 1st and 3rd Best Oralist awards respectively.

The Team would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the coaches, Mr Fergus Tam and Mr Thomas Lam, for their valuable feedback and guidance. The Team would also like to thank the guest judges, Mr Ryan Cheung, Mr Raphael Leung, Mr Jason Louie, Ms Faith Lee, Ms Holly Leung, Ms Ally Chan, Mr Leo Pang, Mr Chung Hin Yue, and Ms Veronica Yu for their kind assistance, helpful advice and rigorous advocacy training. The team now advances to the Global Rounds in Washington DC, in which they will represent Hong Kong.

HKU Jessup Team crowned 2025 Hong Kong Overall Champion

(Left to right): Mr Thomas Lam (coach), Mr Fergus Tam (coach), Ally Chan, Veronica Yu, Chunghin Yue, Leo Pang

The HKU Jessup Team was declared the Hong Kong Overall Champion in the 2025 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 2 March 2025. The Jessup Moot is also known as one of the most prestigious international mooting competitions in the world. This year’s Jessup problem concerned the issues of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, immunities of state officials, law of the sea and recognition of governments.

The Team consists of Ally Chan (PCLL), Leo Pang (PCLL), Chung Hin Yue (PCLL), and Veronica Yu (PCLL). In addition to the Champion title, the Team was awarded the Best Respondent Memorial Award and all Best Oralist awards, with Leo Pang, Chung Hin Yue, and Veronica Yu winning the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Best Oralist awards respectively.

The Team would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the coaches, Mr Fergus Tam and Mr Thomas Lam, for their valuable feedback and guidance. The Team would also like to thank the guest judges, Ms Lisa Henderson KC, Ms Natalie So, Mr Ryan Cheung, Mr Raphael Leung, Mr Jason Louie, Mr Abdullah Bin Azhar, Mr Alex Chan, Mr Ambrose Yu, Ms Tiffany Ng, Ms Faith Lee, and Ms Holly Leung, for their kind assistance, helpful advice and rigorous advocacy training. The team now advances to the Global Rounds in Washington DC, in which they will represent Hong Kong.

HKU Jessup Team crowned 2023 Hong Kong Overall Champion

           (Left to right): Mr Fergus Tam (coach), Abdullah Bin Azhar, Ambrose Yu, Tiffany Ng, Faith Lee, Alex Chan, Mr Thomas Lam (coach) 

The HKU Jessup Team was declared the Hong Kong Overall Champion of the 2023 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 11 and 12 March 2023. Jessup is known as one of the most prestigious international mooting competitions in the world. This year’s Jessup problem concerns the interpretation of a peace treaty, the law of occupation and self-defence, unilateral economic sanctions, and international environmental law on the disposal of hazardous waste.

     The Team consists of Abdullah Bin Azhar (PCLL), Chan Chun Hin Alex (PCLL), Yu Sheung Him Ambrose (BBA&LLB 5), Ng Yuen Tung Tiffany (LLB 4), and Lee Zee Faith (LLB 3). To prepare for the competition, the Team drafted two 11,600-word memorials and received rigorous advocacy training. After competing against other law schools in Hong Kong, HKU and the City University of Hong Kong advanced to the Grand Final, emerging as the highest and second-highest ranking teams in the preliminary rounds respectively. Oral submissions were heard before Mr Johnny Mok SC, BBS, JP from Des Voeux Chambers, Mr Jin Pao SC from Temple Chambers, and Ms Jessica Zhou from White & Case. In addition to the Champion title, the Team received the Best Respondent Memorial Award, as well as all Best Oralist awards, with Abdullah Bin Azhar, Alex Chan and Ambrose Yu receiving the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places of Best Oralist awards respectively.

      The Team would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the coaches, Mr Fergus Tam and Mr Thomas Lam, for their valuable feedback and guidance. The Team would also like to thank the guest judges, Mr Ernest Ng, Ms Astina Au, Ms Natalie So, Mr Ryan Cheung, Mr Jason Louie and Mr Raphael Leung, for their kind assistance and helpful advice. The Team will participate in the international rounds in Washington DC in April 2023, in which they will represent Hong Kong in competing against fellow advocates from around 100 countries and jurisdictions.

HKU Wins Hong Kong Jessup Moot Regional Rounds 2021

The HKU Jessup Team won the Regional Champion title in the 2021 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 28 February 2021. Known also as the most prestigious international mooting competition in the world, this year’s Jessup problem concerned the issues of state responsibilities during a global pandemic, diplomatic asylum, jurisdiction of the ICJ, and international aviation law. The Team consists of Ryan Cheung (PCLL), Jason Louie (PCLL), Raphael Leung (PCLL), and Thomas Lam (LLB3). In addition to the Champion title, the Team was awarded the Best Written Memorial Prize for the Respondent, and Thomas Lam was ranked 3rd best oralist in recognition of his outstanding advocacy skills.

     After competing against other law schools in Hong Kong, the HKU Team advanced to the Grand Final, where oral submissions were heard before Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li GBM QC SC (the former Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal), Mr Jin Pao SC (Barrister at Temple Chambers), and Mr Wesley Wong Wai-chung SC (Solicitor General of the Department of Justice).

    The Team would like to take this opportunity to express their most sincere gratitude to the coaches, Ms Astina Au and Ms Natalie So for their valuable feedback and guidance. The Team would also like to thank Ms Deanna Law, Mr Jason Ko, and Mr Fergus Tam for their kind assistance and helpful advice.  The team now advances to the Global Rounds which will be held virtually this year over a five-week period in March 2021.

HKU Team Wins Hong Kong Regional Jessup Round 2019

For the third consecutive year, the HKU Jessup Team won the Regional Champion title in the 60th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 29th February 2019. The Team was also awarded the Best Written Memorial Prizes for both the Applicant and Respondent.

     The Team consists of five students – Kaley Chan Yauting (LLM), Harrison Chung Wing Fung (PCLL), Jonathan Hsu Yau Yung (PCLL), Mathilda Kwong Yuan Shang (LLB5) and Myranda Lai Wun Chi (PCLL). Since October 2018, the Team intensely discussed and researched this year’s moot question on state responsibility for corporate actions, human rights violations, environmental degradation and appropriation of traditional knowledge for commercial purposes. By drafting two 9,000 word memorials and numerous advocacy trainings, the Team improved substantially their writing, researching and advocacy skills. 

     The Team takes this opportunity to express their sincere gratitude to the team coaches Ms Astina Au and Ms Natalie So for their valuable feedback and helpful guidance throughout. The Team would also like to thank the guest judges, Mr Victor Lui, Mr Jeff Chan, Ms Alice Leung, Ms Angel Cheng, Mr Sunny Hor, Mr Henness Leung and Mr Jason Ko, for their kind assistance. The Team will continue to work hard in preparation for the international rounds in Washington DC in April 2019, in which they will represent Hong Kong in competing against fellow advocates from nearly 100 countries and jurisdictions around the world. 

HKU Jessup Team Ranks 11th in Washington DC and Wins Top Oralist Award

From left: Coach Ms Astina Au, Jason Ko, Natalie So, Brian Lee, Michelle Sum, and Sakinah Sat

Congratulations to the HKU Jessup Team for achieving 11th place in the preliminary round of the 59th Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Competition, held in Washington, DC from 1-7 April 2018, where 121 teams competed. Demonstrating outstanding advocacy skills, team member, Natalie So, was crowned the top oralist in the International Rounds Top 100 Oralists. "The Jessup" is known internationally as the most prestigious public international law mooting competition for law students, where teams, having won their respective regional round, represent their country in a mock case before the International Court of Justice. The 2017-2018 competition problem involved a dispute between two fictional countries, Anduchenca and Rukaruku, concerning issues related to the validity of an arbitral award, the law of the sea, international arms disarmament, and the use of force.

    This year 600 law schools from 100 jurisdictions competed in the competition.  The HKU team won the Hong Kong regional championship in February 2018, capturing the best memorial prizes for both the applicant and respondent teams.
     At the International Rounds, the team defeated Argentina, Pakistan, Indonesia and Armenia in the preliminary round, before losing to the United States in the advanced rounds. The team members, Jason Ko Lun, Natalie So Tsz Ching, Brian Lee Chun-Hin, Michelle Sum Hiu-Yan, and Sakinah Sat are all students studying in the PCLL programme.  Brian and Jason ranked 17th and 75th respectively in the the list of top 100 best oralists.
     The team thanks Professor Po Jen Yap, Eva Sit, Tim Parker, Lester Lee, Adrian Lai, Terrence Tai, Kevin Lau, Isaac Chan, Jeff Chan, Winky So, Victor Lui, Sunny Hor, Henness Leung, Angel Cheng and Jonathan Lee for their kind assistance, and express their indebtedness to team coaches, Astina Au and Peter Barnes, barristers at Parkside Chambers, for their unfailing support.

HKU Team Wins Hong Kong Regional Jessup Round and Heads to Washington Finals

 

From left: Brian Lee, Natalie So, Jason Ko, Coach Ms Astina Au, Michelle Sum, and Sakinah Sat

Continuing the success of HKU last year, the HKU Jessup Team has won the Regional Champion in the 59th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 25th February 2018. The Team was also awarded with the Best Written Memorial Prizes for both the Applicant and Respondent.

     With participants from 700 law schools in 100 different jurisdictions, the world’s largest moot competition is based on a fictional case before the International Court of Justice. This year’s problem concerns international arbitration, law of the seas, nuclear disarmament, and use of force. It requires a thorough understanding of public international law, an increasingly important area of law in 21st century.

     The Team consists of 5 PCLL students – Ko Lun Jason, Lee Chun-Hin Brian, Sat Sakinah, So Tsz Ching Natalie, and Sum Hiu-Yan Michelle. Since the selection round in September 2017, the Team has been researching extensively on international conventions and customs. Further, numerous oral practice sessions were held before the Moot, through which the Team has tremendously benefitted from rigorous questions and comments on advocacy style. For this, the Team would like to express sincere gratitude to Mr Isaac Chan, Mr Jeff Chan, Mr Victor Lui, Mr Henness Leung and Ms Angel Cheng for their kind assistance.

     Last but not least, thanks must be given to Ms Astina Au and Mr Peter Barnes (team coaches), and Mr Sunny Hor (student coach), for their unfailing support all along. The Team will be representing Hong Kong in the upcoming international rounds in Washington DC in April 2018.