NORMAN Manley Law School (NMLS) has emerged victorious in both the Jessup Jamaica national rounds and the White & Case Jessup Caribbean and Latin American friendlies held recently, securing its place at the prestigious Philip C Jessup international law moot court competition in Washington, DC.

This marks a significant milestone for this year’s team, many of whom are first-time competitors, as they prepare to take on the global stage.

The Jessup Jamaica national rounds took place at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and were sponsored by law firm Ramsay & Partners. The Jessup competition is the world’s largest and most prestigious moot court competition, challenging law students to argue complex international legal issues before a simulated International Court of Justice. For the NMLS team, this journey has entailed intense preparation, personal growth, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Speaking about his students’ growth, Scott Mullings, the team’s coach, said most of them are new to mooting and the competition itself.

“They commenced their training around October last year, starting with the drafting of written submissions. Since the beginning of this year, we’ve concentrated on live presentations before panels, simulating the competition experience as closely as possible,” he said.

Balancing rigorous preparation with their demanding academic and professional responsibilities was one of the team’s greatest challenges.

“Some students work full-time while pursuing their studies, so managing their anxiety, learning new areas of law, and refining their advocacy skills was a significant adjustment,” Mullings explained. “But their growth has been remarkable—their confidence has soared, and they now trust themselves and each other as a cohesive team focused on winning.”

As they compete in Washington, DC, the team will be competing against top law schools from around the world. The international rounds, which begin with an opening ceremony on March 29, will continue until the finals today, April 6.

“This is the big stage. How well they perform could open many doors for them, and if they make it to the finals, they will be remembered in NMLS history,” said Mullings.

Marc Ramsay, national administrator for the Jessup Jamaica national rounds and recipient of the 2024 Steven M Schneebaum award for outstanding national administrator, lauded the team’s achievement and underscored the significance of this victory for Jamaica’s legal community.

“The Caribbean continues to produce formidable competitors in international mooting, and we congratulate the UWI, Mona campus and the Norman Manley Law School for their preparation and advocacy. The NMLS has a stellar track record at the Jessup. We have seen strong improvements from other local teams and are excited about the increase in competitiveness of the Jamaica national rounds. We are proud of the efforts of the NMLS as they represent Jamaica and the Caribbean on the world stage and wish them well.”

The NMLS also won the Jessup Jamaica national rounds and the inaugural Jessup Caribbean Friendlies in 2024, continuing Jamaica’s impressive tradition in the competition. This success is a testament to the dedication and strategic preparation of the teams, as well as the growing competitiveness of Caribbean and Latin American institutions in international mooting.

Jessica Zouetr, co-administrator of the Jessup Caribbean and Latin America Friendlies, reflected on the competition’s growth and Jamaica’s impact.

“The idea for the friendly rounds was born from my own experience as a Jamaican competitor at the Jessup. We saw the need for additional preparation before heading to Washington, DC, and now, with 14 teams from across the globe participating, it’s amazing to witness the Jamaican team compete and win. I am extremely proud of both Jamaican teams and the work they have put in.”