History

Fox Williams LLP, in association with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, is delighted to co-host a pre-moot that has become a staple of the mooting calendar and one of the best regarded pre-moots on the global stage. It aims to support the purpose of the Vis Moot namely to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration and provide a practical training to students for resolving international business disputes.

Whilst attending the Vis in 2015 it became apparent to Peter Ashford, partner at Fox Williams, that there had not been a pre-moot in London that year.

Such an omission could not go repeated and undaunted by a complete lack of experience in mooting and still a relative newcomer to the Vis Moot, Peter set about the planning. The following year the first Fox Williams pre-moot was held.

Since the 2019 moot the Fox Williams pre-moot has been in association with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (“CIArb”). Furthermore, from 2019 Fox Williams has held a panel discussion on the procedural aspects raised in the moot problem where distinguished jurists have considered the problem’s issues.

The pre-moot has expanded from an original 8 teams in 2016 to 24 teams at the 2021 event. We will only have the number of teams we consider consistent with running an excellent event that is valuable and enriching for all those who participate in it.