The CIETAC Cup International Commercial Arbitration Moot, organized by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), is an annual national competition for law students from universities across China. The competition aims to further promote awareness and understanding of arbitration and to foster the next generation of legal professionals specializing in arbitration.
The CIETAC Cup brings together experienced CIETAC arbitrators, renowned lawyers from China and abroad, and other leading arbitration practitioners to serve as members of the Mock Arbitral Tribunals. Participants assume the roles of counsel for the Claimant and Respondent and take part in various stages of a simulated arbitral hearing. Based on the hypothetical case materials, teams present their submissions, respond to the opposing side's arguments, engage in oral advocacy, and answer questions from the tribunal. With a strong emphasis on bridging legal theory and practice, the competition provides law students with an invaluable opportunity to develop their legal research, advocacy, and practical skills in a realistic arbitration setting. The competition is conducted in English.
As part of its commitment to developing young talent in international arbitration, CIETAC sponsors the champion and runner-up teams of the CIETAC Cup to participate in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Austria, and the Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong. The CIETAC Cup also presents awards including the Best Oralist Award and Team Contribution Award, and each participant receives an official Certificate of Participation in recognition of their commitment and contribution to the competition.
Since 2000, CIETAC has successfully organized 23 editions of the CIETAC Cup National Competition. The previous edition attracted 103 teams from China and abroad, including participants from the United Kingdom, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, as well as universities from provinces and cities across mainland China. More than 1,000 young law students participated in the competition. The latest edition reached an even broader geographical representation, featured a record number of hearings, and continued to raise the level of professionalization of the competition and expand its international influence.
The latest edition also brought together more than 270 legal practitioners, scholars, arbitration professionals, and representatives of arbitration institutions from 27 countries and regions to serve as arbitrators and judges. The competition has also received strong support from numerous internationally renowned arbitration institutions and leading law firms.
At the same time, as long-standing partners and sponsors of the CIETAC Cup, participating organizations may engage with students through the Friends of the CIETAC Cup (CCAA) platform. The platform provides additional opportunities for interaction between legal institutions and participating teams, while creating a valuable channel for legal organizations to identify, connect with, and recruit outstanding young legal talent.
