Law students from St Petersburg University win a prize in the International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition

St Petersburg University was represented by master’s students Daria Botalova, Anastasiia Ganaga and Antonii Zhilkin. The team was coached by academics from St Petersburg University: Ekaterina Kurochkina, a doctoral student; and Innokentii Karandashov, Associate Professor in the Department of International Law.

In 2022, the central theme of the competition was international commodity exchange and the consequences of companies’ failure to comply with ESG principles.

ESG principles include environmental awareness, social responsibility and high quality corporate management, which are being followed by a growing number of companies.

In the first stage of the competition, the participants had to study a fictitious legal case and prepare legal pleadings − claimant’s and defendant’s memoranda. The young lawyers had to present the facts of the case and provide procedural and substantive arguments to justify the positions of each party.

In the second stage, the teams participated in an oral hearing of the arbitration in the format of a moot court. During the competition, the team from St Petersburg University took third place and received the audience award. Daria Botalova was named the best speaker of the competition. She noted the role of team coach Innokentii Karandashov. Throughout the competition proceedings, the coach instilled in the contestants the belief that there is no limit to their capabilities.

At every practice session of oral pleadings, Innokentii Karandashov stressed the need for more training to be prepared, to know their position better, and to be able to deliver persuasive speeches. My team and I learnt new facts about international commercial arbitration, ESG standards and private international law in general.

Daria Botalova, a master’s student at St Petersburg University

The team acknowledges the contributions of Nikita Kulpinov and Anastasiia Petrushina, master’s students of the International Private Law programme, who joined as team members during the preparation of the memoranda and during the preparation of the oral arguments.

Anastasiia Ganaga described participation in the competition as an invaluable experience: ’Firstly, it is about gaining new knowledge in ESG standards, which are now being actively implemented by companies. Secondly, it is the experience of taking part in international arbitration hearings. Thirdly, it is the development of teamwork skills. Above all, it is about making new acquaintances with legal practitioners and students of national and foreign universities.’

’I recommend all lawyers practising international law to take part in such events. This will give you relevant experience and skills for your further academic and professional career,’ said Antonii Zhilkin. The competition was held at Kutafin Moscow State Law University with the support of the Arbitration Centre at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.